Head injuries can have profound and lasting impacts on a person’s life. Medical professionals classify these injuries into multiple categories to design treatment plans and inform other courses of medical action. One of the most crucial distinctions is whether the head injury is open or closed. This information is crucial for both proper treatment and any potential Atlanta personal injury lawsuits.
What Is an Open Head Injury?
An open head injury occurs when an external object breaks the skull and enters the brain. This type of injury is often the result of violent impacts or penetrating trauma, such as a bullet wound, sharp debris in a car accident, or a severe blow from a blunt object.
The consequences of open head injuries are usually grave, with a high potential for fatal outcomes or lasting cognitive and physical impairments. Victims of open head injuries are also at a significantly higher risk of infection due to the exposure of the brain to external elements.
What Is a Closed Head Injury?
On the other hand, closed head injuries involve trauma to the head that does not penetrate or fracture the skull. These injuries can be just as dangerous as open head injuries because the force exerted on the brain can cause it to move violently within the skull, leading to bruising, tissue damage, and bleeding. Closed head injuries are typically the result of blunt force trauma or rapid acceleration and deceleration movements, common in motor vehicle accidents, falls, and sports injuries.
Symptoms of closed head injuries can range from mild, such as dizziness and headaches, to severe, including loss of consciousness, amnesia, and permanent cognitive impairment. Some of the most common types of closed head injuries include:
Recovering Compensation After a Head Injury in Atlanta
Recovering from a head injury can be a challenging and daunting journey. If someone else’s actions or negligence are responsible for your head injury, pursuing compensation is not only your right but a necessary step toward healing.
In Georgia, victims of head injuries can pursue insurance claims or personal injury lawsuits against the people responsible, depending on the circumstances of their case. These claims aim to provide compensation to support victims in their recovery journeys, addressing losses such as:
- Medical Expenses: The cost of medical care following a head injury can be overwhelming, and a settlement can help pay for all past and future expenses. This includes emergency treatment, hospital stays, surgeries, medications, and any long-term rehabilitation or therapy.
- Lost Wages: Being injured often means time off work, and a settlement can help cover lost wages. If your injury has diminished your ability to earn at the same capacity as before, compensation can include lost future earnings.
- Pain and Suffering: The physical pain and emotional distress following a head injury can be severe and lasting. Compensation for pain and suffering acknowledges the non-economic impact of your injury, offering a measure of relief for the distress you’ve endured.
- Property Damage: If the event that caused your head injury also resulted in damage to your property, such as in a car accident, you could receive compensation to repair or replace the damaged property.
If you have suffered an open or closed head injury in Atlanta, you deserve justice. After your accident, contact an Atlanta brain injury lawyer for support navigating the complex legal and insurance processes.