Tragic Accident Of Comedian Tracy Morgan Highlights Brain Injury Risks For Motorists
Following an accident on the New Jersey Turnpike, actor and comedian Tracy Morgan seemed confident of his eventual recovery. Unfortunately, Mr. Morgan has become the latest high profile victim of a severe brain injury that could end his career.
Mr. Morgan’s vehicle was apparently rear-ended by a tractor trailer, killing one passenger in the vehicle. Mr. Morgan was immediately diagnosed and treated for broken ribs and a broken leg, but it seemed that he had survived with few permanent injuries.
Unfortunately, now -- five months since the fateful accident -- it is becoming clear that Mr. Morgan has suffered neurological trauma that may impact him for the rest of his life, taking him out of the spotlight and ending his comedy legacy.
A Serious Brain Injury Can Lead To Dramatic Consequences That Will Last A Lifetime
It is, perhaps, surprising that the revelations about Mr. Morgan’s brain injuries have taken five months to emerge. However, it’s not necessarily the case that this is because he or his camp sought to hide the information. A misdiagnosis is also possible.
The presence of a traumatic brain injury (TBI) is not always obvious, even for someone who has been in a severe crash. It can take weeks or months before symptoms appear and worsen to the point where neurological damage is suspected.
At the moment, Mr. Morgan and his attorneys are seeking punitive damages against Walmart, the company that owned the trailer-tractor involved in the accident. In these cases, it is very typical for the company, rather than the driver, to face the most significant charges.
Walmart, in turn, alleges that Mr. Morgan was not wearing a seat belt. While it might be found that Mr. Morgan did not contribute directly to the accident himself, anything that he did or did not do that contributed to its severity may be relevant to the case.
At this time, the full extent of the recovery that Mr. Morgan might enjoy is not yet known, nor is it known whether or not he will be able to return to his career. This sad case is a classic example of a TBI situation that may lead to significant lost income for the victim, potentially robbing him of his ability to care for himself financially.
In Any Brain Injury Case, You Need The Specialists At Get Me Justice To Protect Your Rights
Brain injury cases are unlike anything else that can befall a person, not only because of their permanent repercussions, but also because of how complex and fluid the situation may be.
Even with the best possible care, such as the care received by Mr. Morgan, it may never be possible to fully restore cognitive function and a sense of complete recovery for a victim.
The prognosis may be positive at first, only for the victim and his or her family to discover later that the recovery will be limited in ways that could not have been foreseen previously.
When working on a brain injury case, it becomes necessary to look at a victim’s healthcare data in a new way and structure the case so that it takes this high degree of uncertainty into account.
For that reason, it’s especially critical to speak to a lawyer right away in cases where a brain injury has been sustained -- or whenever one is suspected, even before a complete diagnosis.
Call or email our law firm today to find out more. We work with brain injury victims and their families in Bradenton, St. Petersburg, Venice, Sarasota, and throughout the Sunshine State.
