Traumatic Brain Injury
A traumatic brain injury is a disruption of normal brain function that can occur as a result of a blow to the head or sudden acceleration and deceleration forces (whiplash) that can occur in a motor vehicle accident.
The severity of brain injury may range from "mild brain injury" involving an alteration in mental status or consciousness to "severe brain injury" involving an extended period of unconsciousness or amnesia.
The majority of mild brain injuries usually resolve within 6 months. However, a small minority of persons never completely recover from a mild brain injury or concussion and may be left with one or more of the following problems:
Physical Symptoms
(e.g., dizziness, headache, sleep disturbance, quickness to fatigue or lethargy);
Cognitive Deficits
(e.g., involving attention, concentration, short-term memory or executive functions);
Behavioral & Emotional Changes
(e.g., irritability, quickness to anger, impulsivity, or mood swings).
The cumulative effect of these cognitive, behavioral, and emotional changes can result in the brain injured person being perceived by others as a different person and can significantly affect a person's ability to return to work.
Here are some examples of trial awards Slater Vecchio has achieved for our clients in mild to severe brain injuries:
- Roussin v. Bouzenad, 2005 BCSC 1719
- Aberdeen v. Township of Langley, 2007 BCSC 993
- Terracciano (Guardian ad litem of) v. Etheridge, 1997 BCSC, B943125
- Heringa v. Mah, 2000 BCCA 490
- Sammartino v. Hiebert, 1996 BCSC, B822857
- Kerr v. Paterson, BCSC 2007, M033506 (
PDF 384KB) - Spehar (Guardian ad litem of) v. Beazley, 2004 BCSC 926
- G v. B, 2004 BCSC 1157