Mankato Brain Injury Attorney

Brain injuries are some of the most devastating and life-altering injuries that anyone can suffer. Many of our clients with brain injuries are no longer the same person, and struggle to maintain family and friend relationships.  Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) take many forms and range widely in their severity, symptoms, and long-term effects. Some victims of brain injuries suffer significant changes to their personalities, which can have devastating effects on their personal relationships and careers, while some brain injuries may leave victims disabled and unable to work.

Mankato citizens who have suffered brain injuries need reliable, experienced legal representation to secure the compensation they deserve after sustaining brain injuries. Negligent parties must be held responsible for the damage they cause. It’s vital to understand your legal rights and options after you or a loved one suffers a traumatic brain injury.

Understanding Brain Injuries in Mankato, MN

Brain injuries can manifest in different ways, and one of the most common kinds of cases in Mankato is a penetrating brain injury. Penetrating injuries describe any wounds that break into the skull of the victim. Examples can include gunshot wounds, stabbings, or being impaled by sharp debris. These wounds can cause significant bleeding, internal hemorrhaging, and may leave the victim susceptible to infections and long-term disabilities. 

TBIs that do not penetrate the brain but cause it to move violently inside the skull can also cause serious damage. When the brain moves too quickly, it can strike the inside of the skull and cause a concussion. Concussions can range from mild to severe, but they all carry similar risks. In most cases, a person who suffers a concussion will be more vulnerable to future concussions. Mankato residents who experience repeated concussions can have long-term neurological effects including sensory and mood disorders.

Common Mankato Brain Injury Symptoms

There are many different factors that can contribute to a person experiencing a traumatic brain injury. Each instance of TBI is unique, which means that no two cases are ever the same. It is vital to identify the common signs of TBI, although many symptoms vary based on the severity and location of the injury. Common symptoms of TBI generally include:

  • Dilated pupils
  • Slurred speech
  • Tingling or numbness in the extremities
  • Convulsions or seizures
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Inability to wake from sleep
  • Persistent, gradually worsening headaches
  • Weakness in the muscles

Some traumatic brain injuries cause such extensive damage that victims develop permanent disabilities, including sensory distortion, neurological changes, thinking problems, language problems, emotional instability, or post-traumatic stress disorder. Some traumatic brain injuries can lead to secondary conditions, diseases, and impairments. Victims of TBIs may need to depend on friends or loved ones to represent their interests in a lawsuit.

Frequent Causes of Traumatic Brain Injury in Minnesota

Millions of individuals across the U.S. suffer from traumatic brain injuries every year, including many residents in Mankato, MN. Reports from the Minnesota Department of Health indicate that falls are the most common cause of traumatic brain injuries in the state. Statistics also show that there are a variety of other causes leading to TBIs for Mankato residents.

Car and Bicycle Crashes 

Accidents involving cars, trucks, and bicycles are among the most frequent incidents leading to traumatic brain injuries for Mankato, MN residents. Across the state, an estimated 13% of all TBI-related injuries are caused by bicycle crashes in children from age five to 14. The best way to prevent these common accidents is to wear protective gear while operating a bicycle, such as a helmet and reflective gear, in addition to maintaining safe driving standards while on the road. In other cases, people are thrown from vehicles, or pickup truck beds, and suffer brain injuries. 

Domestic Violence

Cases of domestic violence often involve instances of TBI or other physical symptoms of abuse. TBI can appear frequently in domestic abuse cases because many abusers aim for physical attacks to the head, which can severely damage the brain. Many incidents of domestic abuse involve gun-related accidents, including TBIs. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report that gun related TBIs are among the most frequently reported. 

Athletic Brain Injuries

Each year, there are more than 300,000 sports-related brain injuries in the United States, also known as concussions. These accidents are common in Minnesota. Most commonly, victims suffer from concussions within a few hours of the incident that caused it, prolonging the time to obtain medical assistance. Concussions can even lead to coma or death. It is vital to take all available measures to protect yourself in the event of an athletic brain injury. 

Aneurysm and Strokes

Adults living in Mankato, MN who suffer an aneurysm or a stroke are at an increased risk of experiencing a TBI. An aneurysm is a weakened artery wall that expands past its normal limits and can rupture, resulting in internal bleeding. These can often occur near the brain, leading to damage that requires serious medical intervention. Most cases of TBI-related aneurysms in Minnesota occur with women over the age of 50.

Building a Mankato Traumatic Brain Injury Case

After suffering a traumatic brain injury, it is necessary for you, or someone who is caring for you, to connect with an experienced Mankato brain injury attorney to handle your legal concerns. If another person, party, or organization is responsible for your brain injury, it is important to hold them accountable and secure the compensation you need to carry on with your life. 

Oftentimes, TBIs result in long-lasting damage, so it is vital to retain an accomplished attorney who can help navigate the complexities of your case and deliver satisfactory results. Damage caused by a brain injury may not always be readily apparent and can worsen over time if it is not treated immediately. Be sure to seek medical attention and speak with an attorney even if the damage does not seem severe immediately following the injury. Waiting too long to seek compensation could affect your chances of winning a case against a negligent party.

Even the most seemingly straightforward cases can quickly escalate into complicated legal battles, so it’s vital to work with an attorney you can trust to act in your best interest. At Knutson+Casey, we understand that every client is unique, so we take the time to get to know you and the facts of your case so we can explore every avenue possible for compensation. Reach out to our office to schedule a free initial consultation. One of our team members will assess your situation and let you know how we can help.

Experienced Brain Injury Attorneys in Mankato, MN

Cases of traumatic brain injuries require a delicate approach from a legal professional who has years of experience handling litigation for serious medical injuries. The firm of Knutson+Casey is ready to help you move forward with your traumatic brain injury case in Mankato, MN. We will work with you to provide diligent representation and ensure that you receive the necessary compensation that you deserve. 

Get started on your Mankato traumatic brain injury case with the attorneys at Knutson+Casey today by calling (507) 344-8888 or contacting us online to schedule your free consultation.