Brain Injury Lawyer Virginia Beach

Each year, according to the Brain Injury Association of America, about 62,000 children aged 0 to 19 are hospitalized because of brain injuries caused by car accidents, falls, sports injuries, physical abuse, and more. Among children 0 to 14, brain injury results in an estimated 2,685 deaths every year and 37,000 hospitalizations.

At Shapiro, Washburn, & Sharp, we know that traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) in children can cause potential long-term effects on cognitive, physical, and emotional development. When someone else’s negligence causes this type of injury, it can be even more difficult for the victim and the family to manage.

If your child suffered a traumatic brain injury because of a negligent person or defective product, call our Virginia Beach brain injury lawyers at 833-997-1774 for a free consultation. Our experienced attorneys may be able to help you secure the compensation you need to cover medical treatments, rehabilitation, and future care. We provide a compassionate approach and have a strong track record in personal injury law.

What Is a Traumatic Brain Injury?

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is an injury to the brain caused by an external physical force. It disrupts the brain’s normal functioning and, depending on the severity and location, may impact a child’s ability to think, move, speak, and regulate emotions. The trauma that causes a TBI may come from a direct blow to the head, a violent jolt, or penetration by an object.

By age group, the most common causes of TBIs are as follows:

Toddlers (0-4 years): Falls are the leading cause of TBIs in this age group.
School-aged children (5-14 years): Bicycle-related injuries are prevalent in this group. In a 2015 study of bicycle-related injuries in children, researchers found that 17.4 percent of those with head injuries were wearing a helmet, but 44.8 percent were documented as not wearing one, while an additional 37.8 percent had no documentation showing whether they were wearing a helmet.
Adolescents (15-19 years): For this age group, motor-vehicle crashes and sports injuries are common causes of TBIs.

What Are the Different Types of TBIs?

Doctors generally classify a TBI by severity (mild, moderate, or severe) and type, which describes the nature of the damage. Some of the most common types of TBIs include the following.

Concussion

Also called a mild TBI, a concussion is caused by a blow or jolt to the head that shakes the brain inside the skull. Concussions can lead to a temporary loss of consciousness, confusion, dizziness, and memory issues. One mild concussion is not usually considered serious, but repeated concussions—particularly without proper treatment or time to recover—can lead to long-term damage.

Contusion

This is caused by a direct impact to the head and is essentially a bruise to the brain. Contusions can lead to bleeding and swelling in the brain. Severe cases may require surgery.

Coup-Contrecoup Injury

This occurs when the brain is injured at the point of impact (coup) and on the opposite side (contrecoup). The force causes the brain to move back and forth within the skull. Car accidents and violent falls typically cause these types of TBIs.

Diffuse Axonal Injury (DAI)

One of the most serious types of TBIs, this injury occurs when the brain rapidly shifts inside the skull, tearing the long connecting nerve fibers (axons). It can disrupt communication between the different parts of the brain and may result in a coma or permanent brain damage.

Penetrating Injury

If an object pierces the skull and enters the brain tissue, it’s a penetrating injury. These are usually the result of high-impact trauma, such as from car crashes or accidents involving sharp objects. They almost always require emergency intervention.

Second Impact Syndrome

This happens when a person suffers a second TBI while still recovering from the first. It can lead to rapid brain swelling and is particularly dangerous in young children and teens.

Where Did the Injury Occur?

The symptoms of a TBI can vary depending on how severe it is and where it is located. Damage to the frontal lobe, for example, could affect behavior and decision-making. Damage to the temporal lobe can cause problems with memory or speech.

TBIs are also categorized into two major phases:

Primary Injury: This is the injury that occurs from the initial trauma. It cannot be reversed, but immediate treatment can minimize the effects.
Secondary Injury: This refers to the changes that may occur after the initial injury. Biological and chemical reactions inside the brain and body in the days following the initial trauma may lead to swelling, decreased oxygen supply, blood pressure changes, and the release of harmful chemicals in the brain. Without quick intervention, a secondary injury can cause significantly more damage than the primary injury, leading to more long-term symptoms and difficulties.

Why Is Immediate Treatment So Important?

When it comes to TBIs in children, time is critical. Getting immediate evaluation and treatment can mean the difference between a full recovery and long-term disability.

It’s also important to realize that the symptoms of a TBI are not always immediately apparent. Imagine a toddler falls down a short flight of stairs. The child may appear fine, with no evident bruising or bleeding. But a few hours later, they may start vomiting or become unusually sleepy. These could be signs of a TBI. Acting quickly can help prevent more extensive damage.

In older children, it’s often minor concussions during sports games that can be confusing. The child may feel fine initially, but if symptoms like persistent headaches, dizziness, trouble concentrating, or increased irritability show up, these could be signs of a more serious brain injury that requires medical monitoring.

The earlier you detect a TBI, the better. Prompt evaluation and treatment allow doctors to:

Reduce brain swelling and prevent oxygen deprivation to brain tissue.
Use medication or surgery to manage intracranial pressure.
Administer therapies that help prevent or limit secondary injury.
Begin rehabilitation to support physical, cognitive, and emotional recovery.

Children’s brains are incredibly resilient, but they are also still developing. That means early intervention may help preserve normal development. Without it, damage may develop out of sight, only to show up in key deficits later.

What Symptoms Should I Watch Out For?

Parents and caregivers should watch for the following warning signs after a head injury:

Persistent or worsening headache
Vomiting more than once
Excessive sleepiness or difficulty waking
Loss of balance or trouble walking
Confusion, slurred speech, or unusual behavior
Seizures or twitching
Difficulty remembering recent events
Changes in mood or personality
Sensitivity to light or noise
In babies: inconsolable crying or refusal to eat

Even if you notice no symptoms, if your child suffered a head injury, it’s always best to check with a doctor.

How Can a Brain Injury Attorney Help?

If you believe someone else is to blame for your child’s TBI, contact us at Shapiro, Washburn, & Sharp immediately. Our legal team has unique experience with these injuries—including direct, personal experience—and we understand how they can affect many areas of your child’s life.

One of our clients, for example, was a 3-year-old child who suffered a traumatic brain injury after falling into a pool at a vacation rental property. His parents discovered that the pool gate had a defective latch. They hired our team, and we helped to assemble a strong case and negotiate a settlement of $900,000.

Feel free to contact us at any of our offices in Virginia Beach, Hampton, Norfolk, Portsmouth, and Chesapeake.

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