What Is a Traumatic Brain Injury?

A traumatic brain injury is caused by a jolt to the head that disrupts normal brain functioning. These types of head injuries may be mild, moderate, or severe.

A mild traumatic brain injury is often called a concussion and results in a brief change in brain function or consciousness.

Severe head injuries may cause a person to be unconscious for an extended time and/or cause memory loss. A severe TBI may involve torn brain tissue, bleeding, and other damage to the brain that can lead to long-term complications or death.

There are two basic categories of TBI:

• Open injury, in which the brain has been penetrated by an object such as a bullet or other object
• Closed injury, in which the skull has not been penetrated but the brain is injured due to impact from a car accident or fall

The cost of treatment for brain injuries can be substantial, especially in cases in which the long-term TBI effects last a lifetime.

When another party’s negligence or recklessness contributed to the brain injury, brain injury victims may consider filing a personal injury lawsuit to seek compensation for all of the medical, physical, emotional, and financial expenses associated with the TBI.

What are brain injury symptoms?

TBI symptoms may include:

• Headache
• Drowsiness
• Fatigue
• Nausea or vomiting
• Dizziness
• Loss of Balance
• Speech problems
• Blurred vision
• Sensitivity to light or sound
• Ringing in the ears
• Loss of consciousness
• Being disoriented, confused or dazed
• Mood changes
• Memory problems
• Feelings of anxiety or depression
• Difficulty sleeping or sleeping more than usual

If you or a loved one experiences any of these symptoms after a jolt to the head, contact your doctor for an evaluation and diagnosis. Some symptoms appear immediately, while others may not appear for days or weeks after the traumatic event.

If the head injury was caused by another party’s negligence, it is important to seek early medical treatment in case you decide to take legal action against the negligent party.

How is a TBI diagnosed?

Head injuries should be evaluated by a medical professional promptly. Imaging tests such as a CT scan or an MRI are used to diagnose brain injury victims. To assess the patient’s condition quickly, a medical professional may administer a 15-point test called the Glasgow Coma Scale to evaluate the patient’s ability to follow directions, speak coherently, and move their eyes and limbs.

In 2018, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved a blood test to evaluate mild traumatic brain injury. X-rays of the skull and neck may also be used to check for spinal instability or bone fractures.

What type of treatment is recommended for head injuries?

The recommended treatment for a TBI will depend on the severity of the damage to the brain. 

For a mild traumatic brain injury, a doctor may recommend rest, over-the-counter pain relievers, and close monitoring at home for any change in symptoms. Typically, a doctor will limit physical and cognitive activities for a period of time before gradually resuming normal activities.

More severe head injuries require emergency care to ensure the person is receiving enough oxygen and has an adequate blood supply. It is also important to maintain the person’s blood pressure and prevent further neck or head injuries.

Individuals who have a severe TBI may need to be treated in an intensive care unit of a hospital in order to minimize further damage to the brain.

Medications such as anti-seizure drugs, coma-inducing drugs, or diuretics may be used. In some cases, emergency surgery may be necessary to remove blood clots, stop bleeding in the brain, repair skull fractures, or relieve pressure inside the skull.

Brain injury victims may require rehabilitation, depending on the severity of the TBI and which part of the brain was injured. The following types of rehabilitation may be necessary to relearn how to perform daily activities such as walking and talking:

• Physical therapy
• Occupational therapy
• Speech and language therapy
• Vocational counselor
• Other rehabilitation specialists

Patients with severe head injuries may require extensive rehabilitation and treatment before they are able to function independently.

They may be unable to work and earn a living for a lengthy period of time while recovering from the TBI. As a result, they may be faced with hefty medical expenses at the same time they are dealing with diminished earning capacity.

How can a brain injury lawyer help?

Brain injury attorneys represent injured clients and help them recover compensation for injuries resulting from the negligence of another party. A brain injury lawyer will investigate your case, gather the necessary documentation, and put together a compelling argument to show that the other party’s negligence caused your injury.

For example, if a person was injured after slipping and falling in a store, brain injury attorneys will investigate the situation to determine if the incident was caused by faulty flooring, a failure to clean up a spill promptly, or other types of negligence.

Your brain injury attorney will work hard on your behalf to reach a settlement or successful outcome at trial.

If your case is successful, you may be entitled to significant compensation for:

• Medical expenses
• Rehabilitation costs
• Lost wages
• Loss of earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of quality of life
• Emotional distress
• Other damages

Please fill out the form on this page to see if you qualify for a free case evaluation.

Traumatic Brain Injury lawsuit claim review

If you or a loved one suffered a brain injury, you may be eligible for significant compensation for expenses related to treatment, rehabilitation, emotional distress, pain and suffering, and other damages.

Please fill out the form below. If you qualify, a lawyer will contact you to discuss the details of your potential case at no charge to you.

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