Head injury is common in all types of accidents. From car accidents to slip and fall accidents, head injuries can result in residual symptoms such as cognitive deficits and personality changes. For some injured victims, such changes can end their careers. Under the laws of Pennsylvania and New Jersey, if another person or business is negligent and causes an accident and injury, they are liable for all damages which flow from the injury, including a head or brain injury.
How to Prove Head or Brain Injury in a Personal Injury Case – Medical Records/Tests
Brain injuries are not often seen on any diagnostic tests like MRI’s or CT scans. Instead, most victims and their families notice changes in behavior and personality after a traumatic head or brain injury. In many instances, the symptoms are left untreated and a diagnosis might not be made. In some instances, the victim’s treating doctor may diagnose post concussive syndrome and prescribe medications for the headaches which often accompany a head injury. However, treatment and testing by a neuropsychologist are often overlooked. Such treatment and testing may be key to proving that an accident caused a traumatic head or brain injury.
Neuropsychological testing is comprised of a series of cognitive tests administered by a licensed neuropsychologist to test aspects of brain functioning such as:
- intelligence,
- short term and long term memory,
- spatial/visual skills,
- word recall,
- perception,
- speed, and
- organizational thinking and processing.
Such testing may be crucial in a personal injury, workers’ compensation or social security disability case to prove that the accident resulted in a compensable head injury.
How to Prove Head or Brain Injury in a Personal Injury Case – Testimony
Testimony of co-workers, family members, and friends can often establish what medical records cannot – the very real and often tragic ways a head or brain injury affects the injured victim and his or her family. For example, co-workers can often supply details about how after the accident, the victim was unable to perform his or her job effectively. Family members and friends can describe how the victim has changed after the accident and how family life has changed. These details provide a glimpse of how an accident can affect a person and his or her family.
Presenting evidence like neuropsychological testing and testimony of family, friends and co-workers can make a difference in your case.
If you’d like to have your case reviewed by our Pennsylvania and New Jersey lawyers, call 215.925.4451. Our firm has been helping injury victims for nearly 30 years and are always available for a free, no obligation legal consultation.
The accident and injury lawyers at Schwartz & Blackman handle cases in the Pennsylvania and New Jersey area:
- PA: Berks County, Bucks County, Chester County, Delaware County, Montgomery County, Philadelphia County, Allentown, Lehigh Valley, Norristown, Philadelphia
- NJ: Atlantic County, Burlington County, Camden County, Gloucester County, Mercer County, Middlesex County, Monmouth County, Camden, Cherry Hill, New Jersey shore cities
*This website does not provide legal advice. Every case is unique and it is important to get a qualified, expert legal opinion prior to making any decisions about your case. See the full disclaimer at the bottom of this page.