CULLOTTA LAW OFFICES, P.C. - Greater Chicago, IL (847) 651-7191
Aggressive Representation for Brain Injury Survivors Throughout Illinois
If you or a loved one has suffered a traumatic brain injury in Illinois, contact Cullotta Law Offices, PC right away. Why choose us? Our Illinois brain injury lawyers will fight to win you the maximum compensation for your present and future medical bills, loss of income and benefits, and pain and suffering. We understand that no amount of money will ever make up for the losses experienced by brain and spinal injury victims, but we can help you and your family afford the peace of mind you deserve.
Diagnosing and Treating a Brain Injury
Treatment and therapy will depend upon the extent and nature of the injury. For example, a person may need physical and occupational rehabilitation to condition muscles and relearn life skills. Generally, the earlier treatment begins, the better.
Cullotta Law Offices, PC represents permanent brain injury victims. A permanent brain injury may be difficult to recognize and prove and not appear on an imaging test. Many of the associated changes in a permanent brain injury victim's behavior or personality can be subtle. The earlier a brain injury is diagnosed, the earlier a person can begin a treatment program. The following are diagnostic tools used to determine the extent and nature of a brain injury.
- MRI
- CT Scan
- PET Scan
- EEG
- Psychological and functional tests
MRI Scan (Magnetic Resonance Imaging): The location of a brain injury can be assessed using an MRI scan. An MRI uses a large magnet and radio waves to generate images of the brain without exposing the patient to x-ray radiation. MRI's have a higher resolution than CT scans and can show differences in brain tissues based on their fat and water content. Patients must remain still for up to 20 minutes for MRI scanning.
CAT or CT Scans: CT scans are often used in the early phases of treatment to assess for life threatening conditions. CT scans can detect physical changes in the brain such as blood clots and swelling, which may require immediate treatment. A CT scan create cross-sectional images uses x-rays taken from different angles and levels of the brain.
SPECT Scan (Single Photon Electron Computed Tomography): A SPECT scan measures blood flow and activity levels in the brain. SPECT scans can examine areas of the brain deeper than what can be seen from CAT scans and MRI's . A SPECT scan indicates when there is excessive or insufficient activity in one area of the brain or various areas of activity.
PET Scan (Positron Emission Tomography): A PET scan offers greater clarity than a SPECT scan but is a more expensive diagnostic test. PET scans color code parts of the brain based on the absorption of radioactively tagged glucose. Parts of the brain that are healthy absorb a lot of glucose and appear bright orange or red. Blue or purple indicates parts of the brain that absorb little glucose because they are damaged, dying, or dead.
fMRI Scan (Functional MRI): An fMRI scan identifies with greater precision activity within certain brain regions and how long those regions remain active. A fMRI scan also identifies the exact areas of the brain being activated. An fMRI creates images of the brain nearly every second.
EEG: Seizures can be detected by using the EEG to monitor changes in the normal pattern of brain activity. An EEG is a test that detects abnormal electrical activity in the brain. Persons who have sustained a head injury are 12 times more likely to suffer seizures than the general population. An EEG is the most useful test for diagnosing epilepsy.
Neuropsychological Testing: Such tests are recognized as specifically sensitive to the presence of brain dysfunction. Neuropsychological testing consists of a battery of psychological tests conducted over a period of several hours. Neuropsychological testing can identify brain impairments and provide useful information toward the development of cognitive remediation and rehabilitation strategies to improve cognitive function. Often, neuropsychological testing is conducted as part of a comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation of before and after injury from transcripts from schools, standardized test scores (e.g., ACT, SAT), records from employers and medical providers, as well as the consideration of information provided by friends, family members, and co-workers regarding cognitive, emotional and physical changes apparent after the brain injury.
Conclusion
If you or aloved one has suffered a traumatic brain injury in Illinois, due to someone else's wrongdoing or negligence, contact Cullotta Law Offices to speak to an Illinois Leading Lawyer today. Call (847) 651-7191 or use our online form for a immediate FREE case review.
CULLOTTA LAW OFFICES, PC
2614 Patriot Blvd., Bldg. A
Glenview, IL 60026
Tel: 847--651-7191 Schedule an appointment
Additional Office: 1613 Techny Rd, Northbrook, IL 60062
