What Is a Closed Head Injury, and How Can a Lawyer Help if You Suffer One in an Accident?

A closed head injury can have life-altering consequences, impacting everything from your ability to work and handle day-to-day tasks to how much you enjoy life. Unlike open head injuries, which have visible wounds, a closed head injury occurs when an external force impacts the head but doesn’t break the skull.

If you or a loved one has suffered a closed head injury because of someone else’s negligence, an experienced attorney can seek compensation to assist with medical bills, lost wages, and other damages.

Understanding Closed Head Injuries

When an external force, such as a fall, sports collision, or car accident, causes the brain to shift abruptly within the skull, it is considered a closed head injury. This unnatural impact can lead to bruising, bleeding, or swelling of brain tissue.

There are several common types of closed head injuries, including:

• Concussions: Mild traumatic brain injuries that cause symptoms like temporary confusion, headaches, and memory loss
• Cerebral Contusions: Bruises on the brain that can sometimes lead to long-term cognitive issues
• Diffuse Axonal Injuries: When there is damage to the brain’s nerve fibers due to rapid head movement, often resulting in severe cognitive impairments
• Hematomas: These blood clots around the brain can create dangerous, life-threatening pressure inside the skull

Unlike open head injuries, closed head injuries are often not immediately apparent. The symptoms can develop hours or even days after the initial trauma.

Common Causes of Closed Head Injuries

Many different types of accidents can result in a closed head injury. Some of the more common include:

• Motor Vehicle Accidents: Sudden stops or collisions and roll-over accidents can cause the head to whip forward and back, leading to injury
• Falls: Slipping on a slick surface, falling down a stairwell, or even tripping on uneven floors can result in significant head trauma
• Workplace Accidents: Construction sites and industrial areas can pose significant risks for head injuries because of falling or dangling objects
• Sports Injuries: Contact sports like football, boxing, and hockey can lead to concussions and other types of head injuries
• Acts of Violence: An assault, including a blow to the head, can cause severe brain damage

These accidents can happen anywhere, and even if they appear minor, they may lead to serious brain injuries that require long-term care.

Symptoms and Long-Term Effects of a Closed Head Injury

Many symptoms of a closed head injury will vary based on the severity of the trauma. Some may appear immediately after, while others develop over time.

Common symptoms include:

• Headaches or migraines
• Dizziness and balance issues
• Confusion and memory loss
• Blurred vision/blindness
• Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
• Slurred speech
• Nausea or vomiting
• Sensitivity to light and noise
• Mood changes, specifically irritability and depressive states

When there are more severe cases, victims may experience long-term cognitive impairments, concentration issues, personality changes, chronic pain, or permanent disabilities that impact quality of life.

What to Do if You’ve Suffered a Closed Head Injury

If you or a loved one sustains a closed head injury, you should take the following steps to protect your health and legal rights:

• Seek medical attention immediately, even if symptoms are minor
• Follow your doctor's treatment plan and maintain documentation
• Document medical visits, symptoms, or other limitations
• Avoid talking to insurance companies about the accident
• Contact a personal injury lawyer to pursue compensation for your losses

By taking these steps, you can receive the medical care needed to properly heal while also protecting your rights to pursue compensation.

Why Closed Head Injury Cases Can Be Complex

There can be unique challenges when filing a personal injury lawsuit for a closed head injury, including:

• Delayed Symptoms: Some effects aren’t immediate, making it difficult to connect them to the accident
• Proving Liability: Establishing negligence requires a thorough investigation, concrete medical evidence, and expert witness testimony
• Insurance Company Tactics: Insurers may try to downplay an injury or attempt to offer low settlements, especially to clients that need urgent care quickly
• Calculating Future Costs: Closed head injuries could require ongoing medical treatment, rehabilitation, or even long-term care, making it important to calculate potential future expenses accurately

An experienced personal injury attorney can help you receive compensation for medical treatment, lost wages from missing work, or any future expenses.

How a Head Injury Lawyer Can Help You Seek Compensation

If you are in need of assistance seeking compensation for a closed head injury, a personal injury lawyer can provide invaluable help by:

• Investigating the cause of your injury
• Working with medical professionals and other experts
• Negotiating with insurance companies
• Pursuing maximum compensation
• Representing you in court

Having an experienced head injury attorney on your side can make all the difference when trying to navigate the legal process.

FAQ

What Is the Difference Between a Closed Head Injury and a Traumatic Brain Injury?

A closed head injury is a brain injury where the skull remains intact. A traumatic brain injury is a broader umbrella term that includes both open and closed head injuries.

What Damages Can I Recover in a Personal Injury Claim for a Closed Head Injury?

You can recover compensation for medical expenses, lost wages from missed work, pain and suffering damages, rehabilitation costs, and long-term disability expenses.

Call The Spence Law Firm Today

If you or a loved one suffered from a closed head injury because of someone else’s negligence, fight for the compensation you deserve. At The Spence Law Firm, our experienced legal team understands the complexities of these cases, and we are here to help. Contact us today for a free case evaluation.