Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is a leading cause of death and disability in the U.S., yet it is tragically a secret and chronic disease to many Americans. And to make matters worse, most TBI is preventable. It is one of the most damaging injuries a person can sustain, and unfortunately, more common than most people realize. In fact, injuries to the head are so common that almost everyone will sustain some form of trauma to the head in their lifetime.
The Killino Firm is a national brain injury law firm comprising America’s top lawyers who have successfully represented brain-injury victims and their families.
To get the best results for our clients, our lawyers are experienced and knowledgeable in every aspect of head injury, particularly traumatic brain injury (TBI).
As well, the Killino Firm has the ability and resources to handle a brain injury case anywhere in the U.S. Regardless of where you are now, or where your injury occurred, our brain injury lawyers are also prepared to work with local lawyers familiar with the court where your case will be filed.
Contact us today and we will put our team of brain injury lawyers to work for you.
The Killino Team understands that TBI is a public health crisis, often referred to by health professionals as an “epidemic”. We also understand that our clients have suffered serious, and sometimes catastrophic injuries. From our experience, we know that head injuries and trauma often change their lives forever. Our clients need a law office that will deal with the insurance companies and guide them and their families through the maze of medical care and treatment that they face. If you or a family member has suffered a traumatic brain injury, contact the experienced attorneys at The Killino Firm today.
Here are a few statistics to show that brain injury in the U.S. is truly an epidemic:
- Over 5.3 million people are living with long-term disabilities because of TBI, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Every year about 2 million people sustain a head injury, more than Americans who are struck by heart attacks
- Over half a million of those injuries require hospitalization
- About500,000 people die of traumatic brain injuries each year
- Nearly 100,000 people become disabled every year because of brain injuries
To achieve the justice you and your family deserve from a brain injury caused by negligence (see causes), you need to acquire legal assistance as quickly as possible to ensure that evidence is properly recovered and preserved and that legal action is timely filed. But, you need far more than a general personal-injury or TBI lawyer. You need all of the following:
- A national team of lawyers who are highly qualified and experienced with major brain injury cases and who know and understand the complex differences between head injuries, from mild to severe TBIs.
- A national brain injury firm with extensive resources and experts in the medical field and/or the ability to pursue a defective product throughout the country
- A national brain injury team with a thorough knowledge and understanding of head injuries and/or defective product law
- A national brain injury team that has gone up against the biggest insurance companies in the country and won, time and time again
What is a Brain Injury?
Both head injury and traumatic brain injury (TBI) can mean particularly serious problems with a patient’s brain and their ability to recover and lead a normal life over the long term. A head injury, also called head trauma or concussion, is any kind of injury to your brain, skull, or scalp, from a mild bump or bruise to a TBI.
Sadly, traumatic brain or head injuries can occur almost anywhere, and generally result in long-term disability or even death. In some situations, the effects of these brain injuries are not obvious right away. Rather, they can develop over time, and can be very difficult to diagnose. Invariably, these injuries impact not only our clients, but also their family, friends, co-workers and community.
Types of Brain Injuries
There are four types of brain injuries. (For more information, see types and classification of brain injury.)
- Anoxic: an injury to the brain due to lack of oxygen; hypoxia means low oxygen
- Concussion: like a sprain or broken bone that can affect various regions of the brain, usually caused by a blow to the head. It’s basically the equivalent of a mild TBI. Contact sports and violent shaking of the head and upper body can also cause concussion, and most victims do not lose consciousness. Fortunately, most people with concussion fully recover.
- Contusion: more localized than concussion, this is a bruise or superficial injury to the outside of the brain that occurs when it comes in contact with the inner surface of the skull. Seen most commonly in a car accident, contusions can be life-threatening.
- Infection: known as cerebral infection, causes the brain to swell and create pressure. Often, sudden and chronic infection leads to permanent brain damage.
Causes of Brain Injuries
There are many causes of traumatic brain injuries, from vehicle crashes to product defects to another person or company’s negligence. Falls account for almost half of all TBI related hospitalization and deaths and the second leading cause is being struck by or against an object. Other leading causes are self-harm and assaults.
Almost 40 percent of traumatic brain injuries are caused by car accidents, and in turn, those accidents have various causes, from tire blowouts to roadway construction. (For more information, see Causes of Brain Injury)
Child Brain Injury
Tragically, child head injuries are very common, accounting for approximately one hundred thousand hospitalizations annually. Among children ages 14 and younger, TBI accounts for an estimated 2,685 deaths, 37,000 hospitalizations and 435,000 emergency room visits, according to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons. Most TBI child injuries arise from motor vehicle accidents, bicycle accidents, sporting injuries, and child abuse and falls. And some aspects of brain injury are unique to children.
Symptoms of Brain Injury
There is a wide range of TBI signs and symptoms, from trouble sleeping, to neurodegenerative diseases to seizures.
Unfortunately, survivors often suffer chronic consequences that lead to permanent disabilities, and such tragic consequences can mean a lifetime of emotional, physical and behavioral problems. Increasingly, research shows long-term consequences from all degrees of brain injury, which is now accepted as a chronic disease. An estimated 10-15 percent of mild TBI patients don’t recover after one year and may continue to have chronic and often debilitating post-concussive signs and symptoms. (For more information, see Symptoms of Brain Injury.)
Brain Injury Treatment
Treatment for patients who suffer increased pressure inside of the brain wall as a result of bleeding, swelling or contusion can include hyperventilation, medication and sometimes surgery. Fortunately, a number of brain injury centers nationwide brain injury associations offer cutting-edge technology backed by sound research.
Recovery and TBI victim Needs
A brain injury not only affects family – it reaches everyone in the victim’s social circle. We all need to help care for, repair and rebuild a brain injury survivor’s life. Fortunately, there is professional help available regarding how to live with TBI victims, whether a family member, friend or someone in your community.
At The Killino Firm, we provide personalized and caring representation, while zealously fighting for our clients at every stage of their cases, including trial, if necessary. Our highly trained and experienced legal team has a proven track record of success in handling brain injuries on both the individual and national level. We employ a team of attorneys, paralegals and investigators knowledgeable about brain injuries.
Prevention
Sadly, most brain injuries can be prevented. And simple steps can prevent TBIs, such as always wearing a seatbelt in the car, a helmet riding your bike, and using appropriate car seats for kids.
Alarmingly, many patients with mild TBI do not receive adequate medical care following a diagnosis in the emergency room and failure to identify a proper diagnosis can have important legal and financial ramifications, such as denial of disability benefits and other compensation.
The Killino Firm’s Brain Injury Lawyers in the Media
From CNN to ABC and around the world, we make the news because we are dedicated to ensuring America is safe and secure. Take a look at The Killino Firm in the media: You will see that we treat every brain injury complaint with the same intensity that we have the Chinese tire recall and the Mattel class action – both issues caused needless serious injuries– including brain injuries — and tragic deaths.
When something goes wrong, the lawyers and staff at The Killino Firm are prepared to investigate every aspect of the accident in order to discover not only what happened, but why. Using all relevant and updated technology and information, we evaluate every option until we determine who was responsible, and then we proceed aggressively so our clients receive all of the compensation they are entitled to.
Contact The Killino Firm Today
When you need a lawyer who will exhaustively investigate your traumatic brain injury and make sure that every responsible party is held accountable. To speak with one of our attorneys, call us toll free at 877-875-2927, or send an email to a brain injury lawyer today. We will respond promptly to your inquiry so that you can experience The Killino Firm Difference.