A traumatic brain injury can be permanent. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) states that “in 2017, over 1 million inpatient stays and Emergency Room visits led to a diagnosis of traumatic brain injury.” Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) can lead to death or major disruption in a person’s life.
Long-term outcomes following a TBI are based upon several factors including how the injury occurred, its severity, and whether the victim receives prompt medical treatment.
Causes of Traumatic Brain Injury
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) explains that a traumatic brain injury often occurs when a sudden trauma damages the brain. This injury can occur when the head comes into violent contact with a hard object or when an object pierces the skull and enters brain tissue.
The most common causes of a TBI include:
- Falls
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Being struck by an object
- Combat injuries
- Sports injuries
- Violent attacks
Types of Traumatic Brain Injuries and Symptoms
TBIs are usually classified as mild, moderate, or severe. Each of these has unique symptoms. Some of the most common symptoms described by the Mayo Clinic and the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke are described below.
Mild
A mild TBI may affect a person’s brain cells temporarily. Most people who suffer a mild TBI do not experience unconsciousness. If they do, it is usually only for a few seconds or minutes.
Mild TBI symptoms include:
- Feeling dazed, confused, or disoriented
- Headache
- Lightheadedness
- Dizziness or loss of balance
- Nausea or vomiting
- Fatigue or lethargy
- Change in sleep patterns
- Blurred vision
- Ringing in the ears
Moderate
Moderate TBIs are often associated with bruising, torn tissues, or brain bleeds. Accident victims with moderate TBIs may have the same symptoms as someone with a mild or severe TBI.
Severe
Severe TBIs may result in the same type of physical damage to the brain as moderate TBIs, but there is often an increased risk of permanent damage or death. Severe TBI accident victims may experience any of the symptoms associated with mild TBIs.
However, victims may also experience more severe symptoms, such as:
- Loss of consciousness from several minutes to hours
- A headache that worsens over time or does not subside
- Repeated vomiting or nausea
- Convulsions or seizures
TBI Symptoms in Children
Since some TBI victims are children who may experience different symptoms but may have trouble communicating them, watch out for the following symptoms if your child was in a car accident or recently suffered a blow to the head:
- Seizures
- Increased irritability
- Persistent crying
- Change in eating or nursing habits
- Difficulty paying attention
- Change in sleep patterns
- Loss of interest in favorite toys or activities
Treatment for Traumatic Brain Injury
Depending on the severity of the traumatic brain injury, a patient may require rest, cognitive therapy, or brain surgery.
TBIs can lead to permanent disabilities and complications, such as:
- Vegetative state
- Coma
- Stupor
- Sensory processing problems
- Mental health changes, such as depression and anxiety
- Behavioral changes, such as an onset of aggressive behavior
- Communication problems
- Social problems
- Executive functioning or cognitive deficits
The location of the injury and the victim’s age and overall health can also affect whether these conditions arise and whether TBIs are permanent.
You May Be Entitled to Substantial Compensation
If the evidence shows that you sustained serious injuries as the result of the negligence of another party, New York law entitles you to fair and just financial compensation for damages such as pain and suffering, lost wages, and medical expenses. Every case is unique and based upon the facts and evidence of your situation.
Your team at Dansker & Aspromonte Associates LLP will use its decades of experience to fight for maximum compensation for you and your loved ones. Call us today to discuss how we can fight for you. Don’t delay, as there are deadlines that limit the time you have to bring your claims.
We have extensive experience representing traumatic brain injury victims. Let us help your family like we helped one Bronx police officer who sustained a brain injury, securing a $31 million jury verdict.
