At Winkler Kurtz, LLP, we have witnessed the impact of traumatic brain injuries on victims and their loved ones. We can help families recover compensation for the medical malpractice that caused a brain injury. Call us today at 631-928-8000 or contact us online to schedule a consultation with a Long Island head injury attorney.
Our brains are protected by a fairly remarkable system of bones, membranes and fluid. Because of this protection, most of the 2.8 million head injuries suffered by Americans each year are relatively minor.
Head injuries, which are also referred to as traumatic brain injuries (or TBIs) involve a trauma to the head that causes an injury to the scalp, skull or brain. They are classified as either a closed or penetrating injury. In a closed head injury, the head suffers a blunt force after being hit against an object. A penetrating head injury involves an object breaking through the skull and entering the brain.
There are many potential causes of brain injuries, including falls, motor vehicle accidents — and medical malpractice. Because TBIs have the potential to lead to brain damage and even death, the consequences of such an injury are severe. A person who suffers a TBI may require costly medical care and treatment for life, and may never fully recover.
Types of Brain Injuries
Brain injuries can happen in a variety of ways, most frequently through accidents. However, in some cases, physicians and other medical professionals may be negligent in caring for a patient, causing a brain injury. There are several types of brain injuries associated with medical malpractice.
Anoxic brain injuries occur when a brain is completely deprived of oxygen for a period of time. A deprivation of oxygen in the brain can lead to impairments in a person’s ability to think, move, and process emotions. Although there are multiple ways in which an anoxic brain injury can occur, anesthesia accidents are one of the most frequent causes for one particular type.
Infection injuries may occur if a patient develops sepsis, which is caused by a bacterial infection of the bloodstream. This is often a result of poor sanitary procedures in healthcare settings, such as surgical site infections, central line infections, or urinary catheter infections. Without immediate intervention, organ failure can occur, leading to brain damage.
Birth trauma may also lead to brain injuries. This may include an infant’s brain being injured by instruments used during labor and delivery, or the infant being deprived of oxygen during childbirth. Either type of trauma can lead to severe injuries or death.
Finally, brain injuries may be made worse by a delayed diagnosis or a misdiagnosis. If a patient is not correctly diagnosed and treated promptly for symptoms of a brain injury, damage to the brain may be irreversible.
Costs Associated with Brain Injuries
A brain injury can have a permanent effect on a person’s life. Any type of brain injury can leave a person confused, unable to concentrate, in pain, or even paralyzed. The emotional, psychological and physical impact of brain injuries often endure long past the incident that caused the injury.
Brain injuries are also associated with staggering medical costs, from the initial treatment to the need for ongoing care. A person with a brain injury may require hospitalization, multiple surgeries, and months of therapy. Depending on the severity of the injury, he or she might need care for the rest of their lives.
A brain injury may also diminish a person’s capacity to work, support themselves, and take care of their families. This is another aspect of damages that must be addressed in any claim against the party responsible for the injury: the inability of the victim to return to his or her former life.
How a Long Island Head Injury Attorney Can Help
At Winkler Kurtz, LLP, our lawyers believe that victims of medical malpractice should be able to pursue compensation from the medical professionals or hospitals whose actions caused their trauma. We are passionate about helping our clients get the justice that they deserve for their injuries.
If you have suffered a brain injury, our skilled Long Island head injury attorney can help. Call us today at 631-928-8000 or contact us online to schedule a consultation.
Falls Among Older Adults
For the elderly, fall injuries are among the 20 costliest injuries to treat. Treating fall injuries costs more than $50 billion per year, and the average hospital cost for a fall injury is over $30,000.
Among older adults, one in five falls results in a serious injury such as a broken wrist, arm, ankle, or hip, or even a traumatic head injury. Half of all elderly adults who are hospitalized for hip fractures can no longer live independently after the fracture.
Anyone who wishes to reduce a senior’s risk of falling should:
- Add railings and grab bars in bathrooms and on stairs
- Ensure the home is well lit
- Remove tripping hazards like throw rugs or clutter
- Repair broken or uneven steps
Because older adults are at significant risk of falling, nursing home staff should carefully monitor and assist elderly residents to prevent falls.
Question: When considering a Long Island Head Injury Attorney, Why Should I Choose Winkler Kurtz?
Answer: Winkler Kurtz, LLP has been serving both Nassau and Suffolk County residents since 1987. We have been a proud member of the Long Island community, helping residents resolve their personal injury cases with trusted and quality legal representation.
Jim Winkler, Sandy Kurtz, and Rich Winkler established the law firm of Winkler, Kurtz & Winkler, LLP in Port Jefferson Station, New York. As one dynamic firm, these three young men brought together years of shared experience in the areas of personal injury law and family law. From the start, Winkler Kurtz, LLP has been devoted to helping Long Islanders get back on their feet after a tragic accident or the loss of a marriage. In 2005, Winkler Kurtz, LLP expanded the firm by developing our Estates, Wills and Trusts department due to high demand from existing clients for services to help plan for terminal illness and death. Today we have seven attorneys, each of whom has developed a commitment and proficiency to one field of law.
- $3.4M Result – For a 9-year-old girl who sustained a traumatic brain injury with hemiparesis from a head-on automobile collision.
- $3.0M Result – For a 48 year old union painter who sustained bilateral shoulder tears and herniated disc requiring discectomy and fusion following a fall from a ladder which broke underneath him.
- $2.25M Result – For the wrongful death of a university professor and his wife who left one adult son surviving them following a motor vehicle accident.
- $2.0M Result – For a woman who suffered brain hemorrhages and multiple fractures following a rear-end collision on the Long Island Expressway.
- $1.9M Result – For a young woman in a medical malpractice action involving the failure to diagnose and treat a ruptured appendix.
At the end of the day, not only do our case results speak for themselves, but we also care about you the individual and will do everything in our power to put your incident behind you and help turn what was a negative situation into a slightly more positive one. Our firm retains an entirely client-centered focus. We offer free consultations for our clients so at the very least you can get a solid starting point and understanding of your situation. Our lawyers are also willing to communicate with you as frequently as you need, as we’re sure you’ll have questions throughout the entirety of the process. That’s what we’re here for!