How Do I Know If I Suffered a Brain Injury After an Accident?
Your brain is the most important part of your body. Generally, it is well protected by your skull. Unfortunately, it might be at serious risk in the event of any type of accident. Injuries to the head can inflict short- or long-term damage that can seriously impact your quality of life. Whether you are involved in a car accident, work-related accident, slip and fall injury, or sports injury, you should always take every precaution to make sure your brain was not injured.
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a more common problem than most people think and one that requires immediate medical attention. The full signs and symptoms of TBI are not always obvious and can seem minor at first, so you should never just assume that you are okay. Furthermore, you can receive compensation for a head injury if the at-fault party is found to have acted negligent.
Catastrophic Injuries
Catastrophic injuries are defined as any physical trauma that leads to long-lasting medical complications and side effects. Catastrophic injuries are significant because they can result in the loss of work, expensive medical bills, hospitalization, and other ongoing medical care.
Catastrophic injuries include accidents that involve serious head injuries like TBI, spinal cord injuries, loss of vision or hearing, paralysis, and amputation. Though car accidents are the leading cause of catastrophic injuries, workplace injuries are another potential hazard for serious, life-altering injuries. Those who work in construction and transportation are especially at risk. Individuals should examine whether they can receive compensation for head injuries in a court of law.
Understanding Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
Unfortunately, the signs and symptoms of traumatic brain injury are not always obvious at first. At the time the injury is suffered, they may appear as a headache, a brief period of loss of consciousness or even a brief period of memory loss. However, worsening symptoms of TBI sometimes do not appear for days or even weeks after the accident. At first, a person involved in an accident may feel fine – yet weeks later start to notice that they are acting and feeling differently.
Consequently, medical experts advise those who suffer any type of head injury to seek immediate medical attention. It is especially true if you notice any symptoms of TBI appear suddenly or worsen within the first 24 hours of the accident. The injuries could require emergency attention.
Signs & Symptoms of Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
You should seek immediate medical attention if you experience any of the following symptoms:
● Loss of or change in consciousness anywhere from a few seconds to several hours.
● Decreased level of consciousness, like being hard to wake up.
● Convulsions or seizures.
● Unequal dilation in the pupils of the eyes or seeing double vision.
● Clear fluids draining from the nose or ears.
● Nausea and vomiting.
● Slurred speech, weakness of arms, legs, or face, or loss of balance.
A New York personal injury lawyer can help examine your case and let you know if you have the potential to recover damages and other financial costs associated with a head injury. Compensation for a head injury does exist when another party acted negligent.
Secondary Symptoms of TBI
Though not as serious compared to the ones listed above, these symptoms are also serious and potential for TBI:
● Headache
● Dizziness, vertigo, or loss of balance
● Blurred vision
● Ringing in ears
● Loss of sense of smell or taste
● Sensitivity to lights, sounds, or distractions
● Mood changes or swings, including the feeling of agitation
● Depression or anxiety
● Fatigue or drowsiness
● Irregular sleep patterns
● Problems with remembering details or concentrating
● Slowness in thinking, speaking, acting, or reading
It is worth mentioning that physical problems like headaches, confusion, dizziness, and fatigue generally appear quickly after a head injury. Meanwhile, mental and emotional problems like depression, irritability, mood swings, etc. tend to develop later in TBI cases.
Sadly, many cases of traumatic brain injury are overlooked because the signs and symptoms of TBI are not immediately evident and develop over time. Some symptoms can also overlap with previous conditions such as depression or sleep disorders.
Parents should also exercise extra caution with children who may have taken a blow to the head, such as a potential concussion during a sports game. If there is any possibility that your child suffered a head injury, you should take the child immediately to a doctor or nearby emergency room.
Life-Altering Consequences of TBI
It is always better to err on the side of caution when it comes to TBI. Traumatic brain injury can lead to serious medical conditions such as chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), brain death, coma, vegativite state, and a minimally conscious state.
CTE is a progressive neurological disorder that is beginning to receive much more attention in mainstream media following several reports in high-contact sports such as football and boxing. CTE is associated with a variety of symptoms, including communication and cognition problems, motor disorders, impulse control, irritability, confusion, and depression.
CTE is more common in those who have suffered repeated blows to the head. Additionally, post-traumatic dementia (PTD) is another potential result of severe TBI. The condition is progressive like CTE and also shares some of its symptoms.
New York Personal Injury Lawyer – Greenberg & Stein
Were you injured in a car accident, workplace injury, or other place where another person or company is liable for your injuries? You should never ignore or downplay the seriousness of traumatic brain injuries (TBI). We can help you get compensation for head injuries along with other personal injury claims. Our proven track record speaks for itself.
If you’ve been injured, Greenberg & Stein is here to help. Connect with a New York personal injury lawyer by calling 212-969-8784, or visiting www.greenbergandstein.com.