Brain Injury Attorney in Overland Park

Types of Brain Injuries That May Support a Claim

Not all brain injuries look the same, and severity doesn’t always correlate with how an injury appears on initial imaging. Understanding the type of injury matters both medically and legally.

Closed Head Injuries

A closed head injury occurs when the brain moves within the skull without any external penetration. Concussions are the most common example and are classified as mild traumatic brain injuries, but “mild” is a medical classification, not a prediction of recovery. Repeated concussions can lead to post-concussion syndrome, marked by persistent headaches, cognitive fog, and mood changes that can last months or longer. Contusions involve bruising of brain tissue. Diffuse axonal injuries occur when the brain rotates inside the skull during a violent impact, tearing nerve fibers; these are common in high-speed collisions and can result in coma or permanent cognitive impairment.

Open Head Injuries

An open head injury involves a fracture of the skull, often with an object penetrating brain tissue. These injuries are typically life-threatening and frequently cause permanent damage to the specific functions controlled by the affected brain region.

TBI Symptoms to Recognize

TBI symptoms include memory loss, persistent headaches, confusion, dizziness, difficulty concentrating, mood changes, depression, anxiety, and sensitivity to light or sound. Some symptoms appear immediately; others develop days or weeks after the injury. Delayed onset is one reason why medical evaluation after any head trauma is critical, and it’s also why Kansas law includes a discovery rule that can affect when your legal deadline begins to run.

Common Causes of Brain Injuries in the Overland Park Area

A brain injury claim requires showing that another party’s negligence caused the injury. These are the most common scenarios we see.

• Motor Vehicle Accidents: A crash on U.S. 69, I-435, or any local road can cause the brain to strike the inside of the skull even without a direct blow to the head. Car accidents, truck collisions, and motorcycle crashes are a leading cause of TBIs.
• Slip-and-Fall Incidents: Falls at commercial properties, apartment complexes, and construction sites frequently cause head injuries. When a property owner’s negligence created the hazard, a premises liability claim may be available.
• Workplace Accidents: Falls from elevation, being struck by equipment, and other on-the-job incidents can cause TBIs at construction sites and industrial workplaces.
• Defective Products: A product that fails unexpectedly and causes a head injury may support a product liability claim against the manufacturer or distributor.
• Wrongful Death: When a TBI proves fatal, surviving family members may be entitled to bring a wrongful death claim against the responsible party.