The Law Office of Sean M. Wilson Advocates for the Rights of Those Who’ve Suffered Serious Brain Injuries
At the Law Office of Sean M. Wilson, we understand the profound impact a traumatic brain injury has on both victims and their families. Just as the civil rights movement fought for fundamental human dignity and justice, we believe brain injury victims deserve dedicated legal advocacy to protect their rights and future well-being. From our offices in Columbia and Charleston, we help South Carolina TBI survivors get the compensation needed for quality medical care, rehabilitation services, and long-term support.
Types of Traumatic Brain Injuries
While every injury is unique, medical professionals generally classify TBIs into three main categories based on the mechanism of injury: closed head injuries, penetrating head injuries, and diffuse axonal injuries.
Closed Head Injuries
Closed head injuries occur when the brain experiences trauma without the skull being penetrated. These injuries often result from car crashes, slip and falls, or sports accidents. The force of impact causes the brain to move violently within the skull, potentially striking the bony interior. This movement can create multiple injury sites: one at the point of impact (coup) and another on the opposite side of the brain (contrecoup).
Even seemingly minor closed head injuries deserve medical attention, as symptoms may worsen over time. What appears to be a mild concussion could develop into a more serious condition without proper monitoring and care.
Penetrating Head Injuries
Penetrating head injuries occur when an object breaks through the skull and damages brain tissue directly. Common causes in South Carolina include Construction site accidents involving falling objects or power tools, high-speed motor vehicle crashes where debris penetrates the vehicle, and agricultural or industrial accidents.
The damage pattern depends on:
- The object's size and shape
- Its speed upon impact
- The entry point and path through the brain
- Whether the object exits or remains lodged in the brain
These injuries often require immediate neurosurgical intervention and typically result in long-term or permanent impairments.
Diffuse Axonal Injuries
Diffuse axonal injuries (DAI) affect the brain's white matter—the communication highways between different regions. These injuries occur when rotational forces stretch and tear the brain's long nerve fibers (axons).
The damage pattern is microscopic but widespread, potentially affecting multiple brain regions:
- Frontal and temporal lobes (affecting memory and behavior)
- Corpus callosum (disrupting communication between brain hemispheres)
- Brain stem (impacting basic life functions)
Recovery from DAI typically requires extensive rehabilitation, as the brain must form new neural connections to restore lost functionality.
The Road to Recovery
At the Law Office of Sean M. Wilson, our brain injury lawyers work with clients to ensure all expenses related to a TBI are fully compensated. This includes medical care, as well as the cost of lost wages and the pain and suffering experienced by the injury victim.
Here, we’ve provided a brief outline of how a TBI survivor’s recovery progresses to help you better understand the importance of taking legal action to maximize the compensation available to your loved one.
Initial Emergency Response
The first days after a brain injury are critical. Emergency medical teams focus on preventing further damage and maintaining vital functions.
Patients may require surgery to remove blood clots, repair skull fractures, or relieve dangerous pressure on the brain. Medical teams will work to prevent complications like infections, blood clots, and respiratory problems that could worsen the injury's impact.
Intensive Care
As the patient stabilizes, the focus shifts to preventing secondary complications and beginning basic rehabilitation efforts. Even while in intensive care, for example, physical therapists may start passive range of motion exercises to prevent muscle contractures. Speech therapists may evaluate swallowing ability, while occupational therapists may assess basic responses to stimulation.
Inpatient Rehabilitation
Once medically stable, many TBI survivors transfer to specialized rehabilitation facilities. Patients then typically spend three to six months receiving intensive therapy. A typical day might include:
- Three hours or more of physical therapy to rebuild strength and coordination
- Occupational therapy sessions focusing on daily living skills
- Speech and cognitive therapy addressing communication and thinking skills
- Psychological counseling to manage emotional challenges
- Group therapy sessions promoting social interaction
- Family education and training
During this phase, patients work with a coordinated team of specialists who track progress and adjust treatment plans accordingly. The goal is to maximize recovery while preparing both patient and family for the transition home.
Outpatient Rehabilitation and Community Reintegration
After discharge from inpatient care, most survivors continue rehabilitation through outpatient services. This phase may last months or years, depending on the injury's severity and the patient's progress.
Many survivors work with neuropsychologists during this phase to address cognitive and emotional challenges. Families may also need help adjusting to new roles and responsibilities as their loved one continues recovering.
Long-Term Support and Adaptation
Long-term support services might include:
- Home health aides assisting with daily activities
- Case managers coordinating ongoing care
- Vocational coaches supporting return to work efforts
- Life skills trainers helping with independent living
- Social workers connecting families with community resources
- Support groups providing peer connection and encouragement
Having adequate financial resources for necessary services and support during this time helps ensure a TBI victim enjoys the highest possible quality of life. At the Law Office of Sean M. Wilson, we are committed to helping South Carolina residents who’ve suffered devasting TBIs obtain the resources they need to move forward.