Traumatic Brain Injuries and Personal Injury Lawyer
Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and concussions involve sudden damage to the brain or impairment to normal brain functioning from an immediate blow to the head or a penetrating wound. Children and the elderly are at a higher risk of complications from a traumatic brain injury, however, it remains a leading cause of death and disability in both men and women.
Causes of Traumatic Brain Injuries
Traumatic brain injuries are caused by a large blow or jolt to the head or by a penetrating wound that punctures the skull and pierces the brain. Common causes include falls that occur at home or on the job, vehicle accidents, football or other sports injuries, construction site accidents, domestic violence, and public assaults such as that occurring during a mugging or a clash with protestors.
Signs of Traumatic Brain Injury
Signs of a traumatic brain injury may be present immediately after an event while others may take longer to appear and accumulate over time.
Immediate and severe signs include:
- loss of consciousness
- blurred vision
- dizziness
- impaired speech
- memory loss
- weakness in extremities
- convulsions or seizures
- dilated pupils
Other signs that may progress over time include:
- headaches
- nausea
- fatigue
- light headedness
- mood changes
- ringing in the ears
- foul taste in the mouth
- disrupted sleep
Whether signs are mild or severe, seek medical attention immediately if you’ve experienced a fall or blow to the head and are experiencing symptoms. Prompt treatment is necessary for the best recovery and to prevent additional brain damage from occurring.
Recovering from a Traumatic Brain Injury
Many people recover from mild concussions with little difficulty or lasting damage. However, more than fifty-percent of traumatic brain injuries require surgery to repair or remove damaged blood vessels and brain tissue. Even with surgery to minimize and repair damage, short or long term disabilities are a possibility.
Moderate to severe traumatic brain injuries may require occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy, or psychiatric treatment to help with recovery and minimizing the negative effects of the injury.
Depending on the severity and ongoing treatment, traumatic brain injuries may lead to permanent disabilities including cognitive disability, sensory issues, communication difficulties, and mental health issues. In more serious injuries, head injuries can lead to coma, vegetative state, or unresponsiveness.
Lasting disabilities and complications may mean loss of work or the ability to care for oneself. If you or a loved one has suffered a traumatic brain injury, contact Lampert & Walsh to discuss your case and explore all of your available options.
