New York Brain Injury Attorney

Slip and Fall & TBI Lawyers Serving Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, Staten Island and the Bronx

A serious slip and fall accident can happen virtually anywhere in New York City, and the consequences can be quite tragic. Traumatic brain injuries are one of the more severe injuries that can result from a New York slip and fall accident or a trip and fall accident.

Statistics from the Centers for Disease Control show that falls are the leading cause of traumatic brain injuries, accounting for 35.2 percent of all TBI cases. Falls are responsible for half of all traumatic brain injuries among children age 14 and younger, and falls cause 61 percent of all TBIs in people 65 and older.

About 52,000 people die of brain injuries each year, while another 275,000 are hospitalized for TBI. About 1.365 million brain injury victims are treated and released from the emergency room each year, according to CDC numbers.

If you or a loved one has suffered a traumatic brain injury in a New York slip and fall or trip and fall accident, protect your rights by calling the New York City brain injury attorneys at David Resnick & Associates, PC, for a consultation. There is no obligation, so call today at (212) 279-2000 or contact the firm through our online form.

We serve slip and fall accident victims in New York City, including the Bronx, Manhattan, Queens, Staten Island, Brooklyn and Long Island.

Brain Injuries Are Different

When someone of any age suffers a traumatic brain injury, it can be a life-shattering event. One moment the person is normal, but after the fall his or her life may be changed forever. Because the brain defines who people are, an injury can disturb everything about someone’s life, including their personality and their ability to earn a living or care for themselves.

The damage caused by brain trauma is often permanent but rehabilitation can help victims to cope with their injury. TBIs are also different because the milder forms are frequently missed when a patient is first treated after a fall.

Sometimes the symptoms of TBI do not become apparent for weeks or months after the accident, and the changes might not be as evident to the patient as they are to others around them. “People may look fine even though they are acting or feeling differently,” says a CDC report.

How a New York City Traumatic Brain Injury Happens

There are several forms of brain injuries, but the most common type suffered in a fall known as a “closed-head injury.” In a closed head injury case, the injury does not come from a foreign object penetrating the skull and damaging the brain. Instead, the brain damage stems from a blow to the head that damages or kills brain tissue.

In some instances, the damage happens when the brain, which has the consistency of gelatin, slams against the inside of the skull. In other cases, someone can fall and strike their head on the ground or another object, and the resulting shock may cause direct damage to the brain.

Many victims of traumatic brain injury also suffer a second injury. This happens when the injured brain begins to swell or bleed, causing brain tissue to press against the inside of the skull. The pressure can lead to additional brain cell death. A damaged brain can also release chemicals that cause more cells to die. If the pressure inside the head is not reduced, the brain can push through the base of the skull, triggering breathing failure and even death.

What are the Symptoms of TBI?

Brain injuries are unique in that similar accidents can have very different outcomes for different individuals. However, common symptoms often indicate a mild, moderate or severe TBI has taken place. They include:

• Loss of consciousness for less than 20 minutes (mild brain injury, also called a concussion).
• Loss of consciousness from 20 minutes to six hours (moderate brain injury).
• Loss of consciousness for more than six hours (severe brain injury).
• Paralysis or spasticity.
• Seizures.
• Chronic pain, including headaches.
• Problems with attention, concentration, distraction, memory, confusion and speed of processing new information.
• Slurred speech or speaking too fast or too slow.
• Not understanding the spoken word or difficulty speaking and being understood.
• Problems reading and writing.
• Visual disturbances.
• Increased sensitivity to light or sound.
• Partial or total loss of hearing, or ringing in the ears.
• Diminished sense of smell or taste.
• Sleep disorders.
• Problems maintaining body temperature.
• Loss of bladder or bowel control.
• Depression, lack of inhibition, aggression, irritability or other emotional issues.

New York Brain Injury Victims Face a Difficult Prognosis

If someone survives the initial fall and does not suffer from excessive brain swelling after the accident, the patient will face a long period of rehabilitation and, in more severe cases, may never regain all of the lost functions.

The National Institutes of Health report that about half of all victims of severe closed-head injuries will require brain surgery. In addition to surgery, many patients will require months or even years of rehabilitation, including physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, physical medicine, psychiatry and social support. All of these treatments can be very expensive, and those expenses may be compounded by the patient’s inability to work or hold a steady job.

“Attempts at predicting the degree of TBI recovery remain crude,” according to an NIH report. “Recovery can be seen months, and even years, after the initial injury.”

The type and severity of the disabilities suffered by a brain injury victim depend on the location and intensity of the brain damage, as well as the person’s age and general health. The most common disabilities mirror the symptoms listed above, including problems with cognition, sensory processing, communication, mental health and personality changes. Less fortunate patients can remain in a coma or a persistent vegetative state for months or years.

People who suffer milder TBIs, including concussions, have a better prognosis, but they still need time to recover — particularly for older adults, young children and teenagers. The CDC advises a gradual return to normal life activities, such as work or school, for victims of mild TBIs. “If your symptoms come back or you get new symptoms as you become more active, this is a sign that you are pushing yourself too hard,” the CDC warns.

All victims of TBIs are more susceptible to suffering another brain injury, and repeated TBIs, even minor ones, can be catastrophic or fatal, according to the NIH. Brain injury victims also face a higher likelihood of developing dementia, Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease later in life.

Were You Hurt in A Slip and Fall Accident in Manhattan? Call Our New York Slip & Fall Lawyers Today

If you or someone you love suffered a brain injury in a New York slip and fall accident and someone else was at fault, you could be entitled to compensation. The personal injury attorneys at David Resnick & Associates, PC, are skilled at evaluating slip and fall accident claims and have a track record of getting results for their clients. Call our firm today at (212) 279-2000 or use our online contact form for a free evaluation of your case.  

We serve slip and fall accident victims in New York City, including the Bronx, Manhattan, Queens, Staten Island, Brooklyn, NY and Long Island.