A traumatic brain injury (TBI) can change someone's life in the blink of an eye. Since March is Brain Injury Awareness Month, it's a great time to recognize the challenges of dealing with a TBI. Whether from a car accident, a fall, or a sports collision, these injuries often leave victims with memory problems, difficulty concentrating, mood changes, and physical challenges. For many, the road to recovery feels uncertain, with no proven treatments to stop the long-term damage. But that may be about to change.
A promising new nasal spray could help protect the brain after an injury. It was recently tested in mice with moderate-to-severe TBIs, and the results were remarkable. Researchers at Mass General Brigham found that the treatment reduced brain inflammation, improved motor function, and lessened cognitive decline. The mice were less anxious, moved more easily, and demonstrated signs of healing previously unheard of in TBI research.
How does the nasal spray work for TBIs?
This nasal spray works by targeting the immune system. The key ingredient is a special antibody that has already been studied in clinical trials for diseases such as multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer’s. Scientists discovered that delivering it nasally helped regulate immune cells in the brain, reducing harmful inflammation and preventing further damage. If this method proves effective in humans, it could offer an easy, non-invasive way to treat brain injuries before they cause long-term harm.
Plus, the potential impact goes far beyond TBIs. For example, this treatment could help stroke patients, people with brain hemorrhages, and even athletes or military personnel who experience repeated head trauma. Right now, those affected often have no real solutions and can only hope that symptoms don’t get worse. This nasal spray could change that by providing immediate treatment and a better chance at recovery.
Next, researchers will focus on bringing this treatment to human clinical trials. If successful, doctors might soon have a way to intervene early to give patients hope for a stronger recovery and a better future.
What are common TBIs related to negligence?
These injuries vary in severity from mild (with brief symptoms) to severe (potentially causing long-term disability or death). The most common causes include falls, motor vehicle accidents, sports injuries, and violence.
- Concussions: This is one of the most common forms of TBI that results from a blow or jolt to the head, causing the brain to move within the skull. Symptoms may include headache, confusion, and temporary loss of consciousness.
- Contusions: Bruising of brain tissue can cause bleeding and swelling. This often occurs alongside concussions or from direct impact to the head.
- Diffuse axonal injuries: These are severe brain injuries from rapid rotation or deceleration. They cause extensive tearing of nerve tissue throughout the brain.
- Penetrating injuries: This happens when objects pierce the skull and enter brain tissue, and often require immediate emergency medical care.
- Subdural and epidural hematomas: These are collections of blood between the brain and skull from ruptured blood vessels. They often require emergency surgery to release pressure on the brain.
- Coup-contrecoup injuries: This is damage at both the site of impact and the opposite side of the brain as it rebounds against the skull.
How do TBIs occur due to negligence?
While some brain injuries occur due to unavoidable accidents, many result from situations where someone's failure to exercise reasonable care directly leads to injury. The following examples are common scenarios where negligence causes or contributes to TBIs:
Motor vehicle accidents
Driver negligence is a leading cause of TBI-inducing accidents. Distracted driving prevents motorists from reacting to road conditions, often resulting in high-impact collisions. Drunk driving impairs judgment and reaction time, while speeding reduces the time available to avoid hazards and increases collision force. Trucking companies may be negligent when they fail to maintain their vehicles properly or when they encourage drivers to exceed legal driving hour limits, leading to fatigue-related collisions that cause TBIs.
Workplace safety violations
Construction sites and industrial facilities come with hazards that can lead to TBIs when proper safety protocols are ignored. Workers may suffer brain injuries when employers fail to provide adequate fall protection, which can result in falls from scaffolding or rooftops. Similarly, negligence occurs when companies don't enforce hard hat requirements in areas with overhead hazards or when they fail to secure tools and materials that could fall and strike workers below. Inadequate training on equipment operation and insufficient safety inspections also constitute negligence that can lead to serious brain injuries.
Premises liability incidents
Property owners have a duty to maintain safe premises for visitors. Negligence in this context includes failing to repair broken stairs or railings, not addressing slippery surfaces in public areas, or inadequately securing ceiling fixtures that could fall. Retail establishments may be negligent when they create hazardous displays that collapse onto customers or when they fail to promptly clean up spills that cause slip-and-fall accidents. Negligent security at venues can also lead to assaults that cause TBIs when property owners fail to provide adequate lighting or security personnel in high-risk areas.
New Mexico lawyers committed to fighting for the rights of TBI victims
If you suffered a TBI because of someone else's negligence, the road ahead may seem impossibly steep. You’re likely facing overwhelming medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and a diminished quality of life. Meanwhile, the insurance companies are using every trick up their sleeve to avoid paying you the compensation you deserve.
That's why Andras Szantho and his legal team at The Szantho Law Firm in New Mexico have made it their mission to fight for TBI victims and their families. We thoroughly investigate car accidents, slip and falls, negligent security, and other forms of negligence that lead to TBIs. Once we've built your case, we can negotiate aggressively with insurance companies for a maximum settlement. If the insurance companies refuse to settle, we're prepared to go to trial.
During your free consultation, we'll sit down with you, listen to your story, and help you understand your options. No legal jargon, no pressure; just clear guidance when you need it most. Plus, you won't need to worry about paying attorney fees upfront. We work on a contingency fee basis and only get paid if you're fully compensated for your damages. Contact us online or call our law offices in Albuquerque or Santa Fe to get started.
"The Szantho Law Firm handled my case professionally and aggressively and made sure that my insurance company was held accountable. Due to Mr. Szantho's aggressive and spirited representation my insurance company gave a settlement that I was very happy with." - JM, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐