Albuquerque Brain Injury Attorneys

A traumatic brain injury, or TBI, is a catastrophic injury that can affect nearly every aspect of a person’s life. Serious TBIs may result in significant physical, behavioral, and cognitive impairments, as well as considerable financial hardships associated with extensive medical treatment, ongoing rehabilitative care, and lost income due to time taken off work to recover and/or lost earning capacity. 

At Martinez, Hart, Sanchez & Romero, we recognize the immense impact brain injuries have on the lives of victims and their loved ones. If you or someone you care about suffered a TBI as a result of someone else’s negligent or wrongful conduct, you could be entitled to financial compensation for your resulting damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Our Albuquerque brain injury lawyers are here to help. 

Continue reading to learn more about filing a traumatic brain injury claim in New Mexico, or contact us directly at (505) 806-1780 for a free, no-obligation consultation with a member of our team.

What Constitutes a Traumatic Brain Injury? 

Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are a type of acquired brain injury, meaning they occur after a person is born (as opposed to in utero). As the name suggests, TBIs are the result of traumatic events, such as accidents or violent incidents. 

There are many different types of traumatic brain injuries, ranging in severity from relatively mild to extremely severe. However, all TBIs are considered “serious.” If you or someone else has sustained a head injury or suspected brain injury, seek immediate medical attention.

Some of the most common types of traumatic brain injuries include: 

• Concussions: Concussions are among the most common of all brain injuries. They result from a serious blow to the head or violent shaking of the head and/or upper body. Though they are considered relatively “mild” compared to other types of TBIs, concussions are still very serious and require prompt medical attention. Concussions can range from mild to severe and may result in symptoms such as fatigue, drowsiness, headache, nausea, vomiting, blurred vision, ringing in the ears, confusion, slurred speech, forgetfulness, lack of concentration, memory problems, and temporary loss of consciousness. 
• Contusions: A cerebral contusion is essentially a bruise—or area of bleeding—that occurs on the brain. In most cases, cerebral contusions occur alongside other serious head injuries, including concussions, as they generally result from a blow to the head or violent movement of the head and/or brain. When the brain hits the inside of the skull or the tough outer covering known as the “dura mater,” a bruise may form with or without an acute subdural or epidural hematoma. Some cerebral contusions may require surgical removal, particularly when there is significant pressure on the brain and/or a blood clot (intracerebral hematoma) forms.
• Coup-Contrecoup: A coup brain injury occurs at the site of the initial impact, whereas a contrecoup brain injury is an injury that forms on the opposing side. A coup-contrecoup brain injury, therefore, is actually two injuries: one at the site of the initial impact and one on the opposing side. These injuries occur when a severe blow to the head causes the brain to move violently within the skull, hitting the opposing side and leading to injuries on both sides of the brain. As a result, coup-contrecoup injuries often result in numerous secondary complications, making them one of the most serious types of TBI. Symptoms of coup-contrecoup range widely and may include everything from language difficulties to behavioral changes to seizures. 
• Diffuse Axonal Injuries: A diffuse axonal injury (DAI) occurs when the microscopic connective tissues and fibers within the brain are torn (known as “shearing”) as a result of violent rotational movements of the brain within the skull. This is commonly seen with motor vehicle accidents and other traumatic events. Because these tears are so small, they can be difficult to detect, even with the use of computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. As a result, victims may not receive the prompt medical care they need. Sadly, DAIs often lead to various secondary complications, as well as coma and death. 

While these are examples of common closed-head injuries, in which there may be no visible damage to the head or skull, open-head injuries can be just as if not more serious. Examples of open-head brain injuries include skull fractures, gunshot wounds, and other penetrating head injuries. 

Common Causes of Traumatic Brain Injuries 

Sadly, most TBIs are avoidable. They tend to occur because of the negligent, wrongful, or violent conduct of others. When this is the case, victims (or their loved ones) are entitled to take legal action and seek fair compensation for their related damages. 

Specifically, some of the most common causes of traumatic brain injuries include: 

• Car, truck, motorcycle, and other motor vehicle accidents
• Pedestrian and bicycle accidents 
• Being struck by or against objects 
• Falls, including falls from heights and slip and fall accidents
• Acts of violence, including assault and other crimes 
• Sports and recreation accidents, such as boating or ATV crashes
• Drownings and near-drownings 
• Oxygen deprivation as a result of medical malpractice

Whether a drunk or distracted motorist crashed into you on the highway, or you slipped and fell due to unsafe conditions on someone else’s property, Martinez, Hart, Sanchez & Romero can help. Our team knows how to investigate complex brain injury cases to determine what happened and, most importantly, who is legally responsible for your damages.