The Causes and Effects of a Traumatic Brain Injury
Every year, nearly three million
people visit the emergency room because they're experiencing symptoms
related to a traumatic brain injury (TBI). TBIs also contribute
to approximately 30 percent of all injury deaths.
If you or someone you love has experienced a TBI, it's important to educate yourself on them.
If the injury was the result of an accident, such as a slip-and-fall
or a car accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your injury.
Read on to learn more about the causes and effects of TBI and gain
some insight into whether or not a personal injury lawsuit is a good
approach for you.
What is a Traumatic Brain Injury?
First things first, let's clarify what a traumatic brain injury is.
A traumatic brain injury is a type of injury that occurs when someone
experiences some sort of trauma to their head. This trauma may come in
the form of a blow, a jolt, or a penetration wound.
Traumatic brain injuries range from mild to severe. Mild TBIs are
temporary and may not cause any lasting damage to the brain cells.
The more severe a TBI is, though, the great the chance there is of
experiencing long-term damage (bleeding, torn tissues, bruising, etc.).
Severe TBIs can even be fatal.
Causes and Effects of TBI
You know that a TBI is brought on by some sort of trauma.
What are the most common traumas associated with this injury, though? And, how can you tell if someone actually has a TBI?
Common Causes of TBI
Some forms of trauma that are associated with TBI include:
- Falls: These falls can be from a bed, from a ladder, down the
stairs, in the bathroom, or any other location; falls are most common in
the elderly and young children. - Vehicle collisions: They may involve cars, bicycles, motorcycles, and/or pedestrians.
- Violence: Gunshot wounds, child abuse, and domestic violence can all cause TBI.
- Sports injuries: TBI is most common in sports like soccer, football, lacrosse, boxing, baseball, skateboarding, and hockey.
- Penetrating wounds: TBI can also occur when someone experiences a
severe blow and an object like debris or shrapnel penetrates the head.
These are not the only causes of TBI, of course. But, they are some of the most well-known.
Effects of Mild TBI
After the trauma, the individual will likely experience a variety of
physical, cognitive, and sensory symptoms. The severity of these
symptoms will vary depending on the severity of the trauma.
If someone experiences a mild TBI, they will experience some, if not all, of the following physical symptoms:
- Loss of consciousness for anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes
- A dazed, confused or disoriented state
- Headaches
- Nausea and/or vomiting
- Fatigue and/or drowsiness
- Speech problems
- Sleeping difficulties
- Dizziness or a loss of balance
They may also experience sensory symptoms like blurred vision, a
ringing sensation in the ears, or a bad taste in their mouth. They may
be sensitive to light or sound as well.
Common cognitive symptoms include difficulty focusing or remembering.
They may also experience mood swings or feelings of depression or
anxiety.
Effects of Moderate-to-Severe TBI
If someone experiences a moderate-to-severe TBI, their symptoms will also be more severe.
Common physical symptoms include:
- Loss of consciousness for anywhere from several minutes to several hours
- A headache that lasts for a long time or gets worse over time
- Frequent vomiting and/or nausea
- Seizures
- Dilation of one or both of the pupils
- Clear fluids leaking from the ears or nose
- An inability to wake up after falling asleep
- Weakness or a loss of feeling in the fingers and/or toes
- A loss of coordination
The sensory symptoms associated with a moderate-to-severe TBI
are similar to the sensory symptoms one might experience following a
mild TBI.
As for cognitive symptoms, profound confusion is common, as is
unusually aggressive or combative behavior. They may also experience
slurred speech, or they could slip into a coma or experience another
consciousness disorder.
What to do if You've Experienced a TBI
If you think you've experienced a traumatic brain injury, you must see a doctor as soon as possible.
Not only will seeing a doctor allow you to get an official diagnosis,
but you will be able to get the treatment you need. And, you'll be less
likely to experience complications related to your injury.
If your TBI was related to an accident like a slip-and-fall, a
vehicle-related collision, or some form of violence, you may also be
entitled to compensation. In order to get the compensation you deserve,
you may want to hire a personal injury lawyer.
If you do decide to seek legal counsel, start looking for a lawyer as
soon as possible. Most states have limits on how long you can wait
before you file a lawsuit after you experience a TBI.
How to Find the Right Personal Injury Lawyer
If you're interested in hiring a personal injury lawyer to help you
get compensation for your TBI, these tips can help you ensure you're
hiring the right person:
- Work with a company like Find Injury Law that vets legal firms
and helps you find highly qualified lawyers who can get you the highest
possible compensation - Make sure the lawyer you see for your consultation is the lawyer with whom you will actually be working
- Do some research into your potential lawyer to learn about their reviews and what past clients are saying about them
- Pay attention to the chemistry between you and your potential lawyer
This last point is especially important. Do they speak in a way
that you can understand? Are they patient and willing to answer your
questions?
Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer Today
Now that you know more about the causes and effects of TBI, you can
use that information to help you get the compensation you deserve after
your accident.
Have you or someone you love recently experienced a TBI? Do you need help with a personal injury claim?
If you live in or around New York, New Jersey, or Pennsylvania, we can help at Find Injury Law.
Contact us today to
learn more about our services or to schedule a free consultation with an
experienced, qualified personal injury attorney.