When Teens Sustain Brain Injuries
American teens tend to work hard and play hard. They are often held to very high expectations at school and may need to work to support themselves and/or to help support their families. As various forms of transportation are now easily accessible, teens are also often on the move. The number of teens on American roads on any given day is staggering. Finally, their extracurricular interests, hobbies, and social lives are more dynamic than ever. As a result, teens are exposed to a variety of experiences, opportunities, and risks on a daily basis to a degree that would have been unheard of only a few decades ago.
All this travel, stress, opportunities, and risks can catch up to teens in unfortunate ways. For example, new teen drivers are more likely to crash than any other age group of American motorists. Teen athletes regularly experience serious injuries because these young people often play sports at such a high level. Even taking selfies in the wrong place at the wrong time can lead to catastrophic injuries. It is little wonder that teens sustain TBIs so often and are compelled to take time to recover from these injuries, as difficult as that may be.
Legal Options for Injured Teens
If your teen has recently suffered a traumatic brain injury and another’s negligence, recklessness, or intentionally harmful choices contributed to the cause(s) of that TBI, you may be entitled to significant compensation at this time. It may be difficult for your teen to process their experience until they’re more fully recovered, but you can accompany them to a risk-free consultation with a local attorney and help them to explain the circumstances that led to their harm.
As an experienced brain injury lawyer – including those who practice at the law firm of Barry P. Goldberg – can explain in greater detail, it can sometimes be difficult to know exactly what caused injurious circumstances and who can be held liable for them. However, working with an attorney will place you in the best possible position to achieve this clarity and to pursue rightful compensation.
Special Considerations for TBIs Sustained on the Job
If your teen sustained their TBI while they were engaging in work-related activities, speak with their employer about whether your teen is entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. If they are classified as a part-time or full-time employee, they are almost certainly entitled to this compensation. But, act fast. The workers’ comp claims process is notoriously time-sensitive.
