Experienced Minnesota Head Injury Lawyers Serving all of Minnesota

Oftentimes car accident survivors cannot restore the quality of life they enjoyed prior to their accidents. Brain and head injuries can impair their mobility, emotional state, and ability to think. Life after a head injury presents overwhelming challenges for both the accident victim and their loved ones. 

The experienced attorneys of Sand Law LLC have recovered substantial sums for Minnesota clients who have suffered head trauma due to negligent drivers. Our detailed accident injury lawyers evaluate each case from a variety of angles to ensure that clients receive maximum compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and emotional damage resulting from their accidents.

We serve clients throughout Minnesota from our St. Paul, White Bear Lake, and Woodbury locations. Contact us at (651) 362-4149 or fill out our contact form for a free consultation.

Traumatic Brain Injury Statistics

Personal injury accidents are a common source of traumatic brain injuries in the U.S. Certain demographics are more likely to suffer a TBI, putting them at a greater risk for lasting side effects.

• Close to half a million victims of head injuries require a hospital visit yearly. 
• Over 66% of head injuries are a result of automobile accidents. 
• Men are twice as likely as women to suffer a head injury. 
• In the United States alone, 7 million brain injuries are sustained on an annual basis.
• Almost 7% of the U.S. population currently experiences the lasting impacts of a head injury. 
• Every year in the U.S., there are roughly 50,000 fatalities due to TBIs.
• Compared to those without head injuries, people with severe TBI are 2.4 times likelier to commit suicide.

Common Causes of TBIs and Head Injuries

When a driver’s head collides with an object, such as a steering wheel, it can cause blunt force trauma. Even though the head is not penetrated, the damage can be long-lasting or even fatal. This can also happen to passengers when their heads meet windshields and windows, car doors, and the seats in front of them. 

Passengers and motorists can even sustain head injuries in situations where their heads make no contact with other objects. When a sudden jolt forces a person’s head to a quick stop, the brain doesn’t automatically stop with it. The brain can slam into the skull, leading to internal damage. 

Bicyclists and motorcyclists commonly sustain head injuries when thrown to the pavement. Though they wear helmets as precautions, their gear isn’t an equal match for vehicles weighing thousands of pounds. Likewise, car riders who are thrust from their vehicles are also susceptible to serious brain injuries. 

In an accident, virtually any object within a vehicle and its surroundings can double as a dangerous projectiles. Tree branches, personal belongings, and unsecured items from truck beds or car roofs can penetrate a human skull when they’re flung at a certain velocity. Even bone fragments from victims’ own fractured skulls can pierce into their brains. 

Understanding Mild, Moderate, and Severe Brain Injuries

Traumatic brain injuries are classified into three categories: mild, moderate, or severe. Determining factors include the length of unconsciousness and/or the severity of a coma, results of brain imaging, and whether post-traumatic amnesia (PTA) occurred. The medical community distinguished mild, moderate, and severe TBI by the following symptoms:

Mild TBI Characteristics

Loss of consciousness – For victims of mild TBIs, the loss of consciousness is typically brief, ranging from seconds to a few minutes. 

Brief post-traumatic amnesia – Affected people may be unable to recall basic information like their names and the date for up to an hour following an accident. Their memory of the accident can also be foggy. 

Normal brain imaging results – CT scans and MRIs often produce normal results when a mild TBI is present, so it is important to describe your condition to a doctor. 

Moderate TBI Characteristics

One to 24 hours of unconsciousness – Brain swelling and limited blood flow are two factors that can make moderate TBI victims lose consciousness for up to 24 hours. 

PTA lasting for up to 24 hours – PTA lasting between one and 24 hours is a sign that a TBI may be moderate rather than mild. Patients may continue to feel confused for a few days or weeks as well. 

Abnormal brain imaging results – While moderate TBIs can remain undetected in imaging results, brain imaging often does reveal lesions and other signs of damage. 

Severe TBI Characteristics

Unconsciousness or coma for over 24 hours – Oxygen deprivation, brain swelling, and bleeding are some factors that can leave a patient in a comatose state. A coma can also be a sign that the brain is taking time to attempt repairing itself. 

PTA for more than 24 hours – Those who endure PTA for over 24 hours are likely to have a severe TBI that can result in long-lasting or permanent impairments.

Abnormal brain imaging results – In addition to lesions, brain imaging results may reveal the loss of white matter connectivity, a condition that causes nerve damage. 

Other Types of Brain Injury Severities

Coma – It is important to seek medical attention immediately when someone is unconscious. Comas require quick intervention to save a person’s brain function and life. 

Vegetative State – Patients in a vegetative state are awake but do not meaningfully respond to their environment.

Persistent Vegetative State – When patients remain vegetative for over a month, their condition is labeled as a persistent vegetative state. It is most often irreversible. 

Minimally Responsive State – Patients in a minimally responsive state show some signs of awareness such as making eye contact, gesturing, and giving simple verbal responses. These interactions may be inconsistent.

Consequences of Mild, Moderate, and Severe TBIs

The physical and cognitive impairments that often accompany TBIs can be debilitating for accident survivors.

Mild TBI

People who have sustained mild TBIs may face problems processing information as quickly as they did prior to their brain injury. Mild TBIs can also diminish their ability to concentrate which can increase the time it takes to complete tasks. 

Those with mild TBIs may notice that their short-term memory fails them when it comes to abilities like recalling details of a conversation or remembering to return a phone call. 

Mild TBIs can make it difficult to control emotions. Affected individuals may find themselves more easily upset or anxious over annoyances they would typically overlook. 

Mild TBIs can leave people feeling sluggish, nauseous, and dizzy. Understandably, migraines and persistent headaches are common complaints of mild TBI patients. 

Moderate and Severe TBI

Neurological deficits, like a reduced ability to process and remember information, concentrate, and overcome challenges can make TBI sufferers feel frequently frustrated. Additionally, TBI patients may struggle to stay organized and solve problems as efficiently as they used to. Consequently, returning to their normal work load sometimes isn’t possible. 

Those who suffer from moderate or severe TBI may have trouble controlling their emotions, including anger.  They may become verbally or physically aggressive over just a slight provocation. In some cases, they lack the motivation they once had to fulfill their responsibilities and can even become apathetic toward their personal interests. 

Loved ones may notice that a TBI patient develops a childlike dependence on them for tasks that were once done independently. With so many new difficulties, it is no surprise that many TBI victims suffer from depression.

Both moderate and severe TBIs can impair a person’s senses. Those with a TBI may experience blurred vision and can even partially or completely lose their sight.  Ear damage can manifest as a loss of hearing or an increased sensitivity to sound. Tinnitus, which is ringing in the ears, also presents itself in some TBI patients. 

Moderate or severe TBIs can cause chronic pain in virtually in area of the body. Various parts of the body may not function as reliably as they once did. For example, those with severe TBIs can face difficulties with speaking as well as controlling bowel and bladder movements. In some of the worst cases, brain damage can leave victims partially or fully paralyzed. 

Types of Traumatic Brain Injuries

There are several types of traumatic brain injuries, which can be distinguished by the severity, location, and form of damage causing the injury.

Concussion – A person with a concussion injury may experience nausea or vomiting, headaches, and memory loss.

Contusion – A bruise in brain tissue is caused by broken or damaged blood vessels. 

Coup-Contrecoup – Accident victims with coup-contrecoup brain injuries have an injury that begins at the site of trauma and also occurs at the opposite side of the brain.

Diffuse Axonal Injury – DAIs cover a large surface. Numerous lesions present in both gray and white matter of the brain.

Penetration – Penetrative damage is exponentially more likely to be fatal when projectiles make contact at a high velocity. 

Hematoma or Blood Clot – When a blood vessel near the brain’s surface bursts, a life-threatening pool of blood known as a hematoma can form. 

Recovering Damages After Suffering a Minnesota Traumatic Brain Injury

Suffering a traumatic brain injury due to someone else’s negligence can be life-altering, but you don’t have to face it alone. Our brain injury lawyers at Sand Law LLC are here to help you seek the compensation you deserve to cover medical expenses, lost income, and other associated costs. We understand the complexities of these cases and will work tirelessly to secure fair compensation.

When pursuing a traumatic brain injury claim in Minnesota, it’s crucial to understand the various types of damages you can seek. These damages fall into three primary categories: economic damages, non-economic damages, and punitive damages.

Economic Damages

Economic damages are intended to compensate the injured party for direct financial losses resulting from the brain injury. These can include:

• Medical Expenses: This covers the cost of current and future medical care, including surgeries, rehabilitation, hospital stays, and any necessary medical equipment.
• Lost Wages: If the injury has resulted in missed work, you can claim compensation for lost income. Additionally, if the injury prevents you from returning to work or limits your earning capacity, your damages can include your future lost wages.
• Property Damage: If any personal property was damaged in the incident that caused the brain injury, you might qualify for compensation for repairs or replacement.

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages are more subjective and aim to compensate for the intangible losses that result from a traumatic brain injury. These can include:

• Pain and Suffering: This accounts for the physical pain and emotional distress that the victim has endured as a result of the injury.
• Loss of Consortium: If the brain injury has affected your relationship with your spouse or family, you may be entitled to compensation for the loss of companionship, affection, and support.
• Emotional Distress: Traumatic brain injuries can lead to severe emotional and psychological impacts, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD. TBI victims can seek compensation for these emotional hardships.

Punitive Damages

Punitive damages are less common and are awarded not to compensate the victim but to punish the negligent party and deter similar behavior in the future. In Minnesota, punitive damages are only granted in cases where the defendant’s actions were particularly egregious or showed a reckless disregard for the safety of others.

To claim punitive damages, a plaintiff must prove that the defendant’s behavior was intentional or demonstrated a conscious indifference to the risk of harm.

Understanding the types of damages you can claim is essential in building a strong case for compensation. With the expertise of a dedicated Minnesota brain injury lawyer, you can navigate the complexities of the legal system and ensure that all potential avenues for compensation are explored. This comprehensive approach will help you secure the financial support needed to manage your recovery and move forward with your life.

The Advantages of Hiring a Minnesota Brain Injury Lawyer

Navigating a brain injury claim can be overwhelming, but a knowledgeable personal injury lawyer can offer invaluable support. Minnesota brain injury attorneys are skilled in handling these cases and can provide the guidance you need to secure fair compensation. At Sand Law LLC, our dedicated team is here to assist you every step of the way.

• Legal Guidance: We provide expert advice on the legal processes involved in filing a brain injury claim, ensuring you understand your rights and options.
• Negotiation with Insurance Companies: We handle communications and negotiations with insurance companies to secure the best possible settlement on your behalf.
• Representation in Court: If your case goes to trial, our experienced lawyers will represent you, advocating vigorously for your interests.
• Documentation and Evidence Gathering: We assist in collecting and presenting the necessary documentation and evidence to strengthen your claim by proving your losses.
• Comprehensive Case Management: From start to finish, we manage all aspects of your case, allowing you to focus on your recovery.

Contact a Minnesota Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyer Today

Sand Law attorneys have represented numerous clients who have sustained brain injuries. We understand that this is a difficult process to face alone. If you have suffered head trauma due to another party’s negligence, speak with one of our personal injury lawyers today. Contact us at (651) 291-7263 or fill out our contact form for a free consultation.