Causes and Effects of Blunt Force Trauma to the Head

Head injuries are some of the most severe injuries a person can suffer. Such injuries often result in both short and long-term medical complications, and victims may face uncertain recoveries and a host of adverse effects. Head injuries are also dangerous due to the difficulty of diagnosing and treating them; their injury symptoms can evolve, sometimes improving with rest and care and other times worsening despite the best efforts of the victim’s treatment team.Blunt force trauma to the head often causes severe effects, sometimes impacting the victim in various ways for the rest of their life. This type of injury often occurs from motor vehicle accidents, workplace accidents, interpersonal violence, and violent crime.
If you or a loved one recently suffered blunt force trauma to the head, it’s vital to identify the exact cause of the injury so you can determine your best options for legal recourse. It is also crucial to undergo an extensive medical examination to determine the exact range of effects you are likely to experience because of the injury.Blunt force trauma to the head

How Does Blunt Force Trauma to the Head Happen?

Some of the most commonly reported causes of head injuries in California include:

  • Car accidents. A motor vehicle accident can easily cause an occupant of one of the vehicles involved to hit their head on the inside surfaces of the vehicle. Even airbag deployment, while it may save the victim’s life, can cause blunt force trauma to the head.
  • Bicycle and pedestrian accidents. When vehicles hit bicyclists or pedestrians, these victims can suffer blunt force trauma to the head from the initial impact of the vehicle striking them and the secondary impact of hitting the ground.
  • Workplace accidents. Some workplaces, such as construction sites and factory floors, are inherently dangerous due to the equipment and materials used and the nature of the workplace. For example, blunt force trauma to the head can occur from falling tools and debris, equipment malfunctions, falls, and other causes.
  • Violent crime and interpersonal violence. Unfortunately, California has a relatively high violent crime rate, and many people living in the state will experience violent crime at some point in their lives. Physical assault and battery, armed robbery, and attempted murder are just a few examples of crimes that might involve blunt force trauma to the victim’s head.

If another party is responsible for causing blunt force trauma to another person’s head, the victim has the right to pursue compensation for their damages through various legal channels. If blunt force trauma to the head occurs in the workplace, the victim typically has the right to file a claim for workers’ compensation benefits. California state law requires almost all employers to carry workers’ compensation insurance. However, some victims sustain these injuries outside of their workplaces, and even those injured at work may have grounds for additional legal action beyond the workers’ compensation claim process.

Filing a Personal Injury Claim for Blunt Force Trauma to the Head

Blunt force trauma to the head can cause a host of issues for the victim beyond their initial medical concerns. The victim may require extensive immediate medical care and ongoing treatment for managing their symptoms and preventing permanent disabilities. However, their losses are unlikely to end with medical expenses. A severe head injury will likely require a long recovery time, during which the victim will be unable to work and earn income. In addition, they may be unable to return to work due to permanent disability, and the incident that caused their head injury may have also resulted in significant property damage.

A personal injury claim allows the victim to seek compensation for all losses sustained due to the actions of another party. An experienced personal injury attorney can help their client obtain compensation for:

  • Immediate and future medical expenses. The victim can claim compensation for medical costs incurred immediately after their head injury and any costs for necessary ongoing care.
  • Lost income and lost earning capacity. When a head injury prevents the victim from working, the defendant is responsible for their lost wages. This also applies to lost future income when a permanent disability prevents the victim from working again in the future.
  • Property damage. If the defendant’s actions damaged the plaintiff’s personal property, the defendant is liable for repair and replacement costs.
  • Pain and suffering. California law allows personal injury plaintiffs to claim compensation for their physical pain and emotional distress resulting from another party’s negligence.

When you have an experienced Sacramento personal injury attorney representing you, you may be surprised to discover that your claim is potentially worth much more than you initially anticipated.

FAQs

Q: What Are the Most Common Effects of Blunt Force Trauma to the Head?
A:
The most commonly reported head injury in the US is a concussion, which occurs when the brain strikes the inside surface of the skull due to external forces. Blunt force trauma to the head may cause concussion symptoms and a host of other complications. For example, if the victim was hit in the head with an object, they may have also sustained a skull fracture.

Q: How Long Do Symptoms Last After Blunt Force Trauma to the Head?
A:
Head injuries are complicated to treat because everyone reacts to these injuries uniquely. It is often impossible to accurately predict a victim’s potential future complications. In some cases, symptoms will gradually improve or worsen, and new symptoms may arise unexpectedly months or even years following the date of the injury.

Q: Can Blunt Force Trauma to the Head Affect the Rest of the Body?
A:
The brain controls the entire body, so it is common for blunt force trauma to the head to result in various symptoms in various parts of the body. Some victims may have diminished sensations or reduced range of motion in certain body parts, and others may experience various internal changes after a head injury.

Q: What Happens if Blunt Force Trauma to the Head Causes Permanent Disability?
A:
Many head injuries result in permanent medical complications for victims. When other parties bear responsibility for causing such injuries, they are liable for the victim’s immediate losses and projected future losses associated with caring for their symptoms and ensuring their quality of life isn’t unfairly diminished due to the other party’s actions.

If you or a loved one recently suffered blunt force trauma to the head due to the actions of another party, the Kreeger Law Firm can assist you in holding them accountable for the resulting damages. Contact us today to schedule your consultation with a compassionate personal injury lawyer.