What is Traumatic Brain Injury?

If you have suffered a traumatic brain injury as the result of someone else’s carelessness or recklessness, you may have a claim. Check out Traumatic Brain Injury Settlements in California for more information.

What is Traumatic Brain Injury?

According to the Mayo Clinic, traumatic brain injury, or TBI, results from a violent blow or other traumatic injury to the head. Any object that penetrates brain tissue can also cause TBI.

Mild traumatic brain injury may affect your brain cells temporarily. More serious TBI, however, can result in bruising, torn brain tissues, bleeding, and other physical damage to the brain, which can all cause long-term complications or death.

The degree of damage can depend on the nature of the injury and the force of impact. Common events that can cause TBIs include:

Falls, which are the most common cause of traumatic brain injuries—especially in older adults and young children.

Vehicle-related collisions and pedestrians that may be involved.

Violence like gunshot wounds, domestic violence, child abuse like shaken baby syndrome, and other forms of assault.

Sports injuries, including those incurred from boxing, football, soccer, skateboarding, hockey, and other high-impact or extreme sports.

Explosive blasts and other combat injuries are common causes of TBIs in active-duty military personnel. Researchers believe that during an explosion the pressure wave that passes through the brain causes a significant disruption to brain function. TBIs can also result from penetrating wounds, severe blows to the head with shrapnel or debris, and falls or collisions with objects after a blast.

Symptoms of Traumatic Brain Injury

You may experience a wide range of physical and psychological effects from a traumatic brain injury. Some symptoms may appear immediately following the trauma. Others may present days or even weeks later.

Symptoms of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

The physical symptoms of mild traumatic brain injury may include a state of being dazed, confused or disoriented, a loss of consciousness for a few seconds to a few minutes, problems with speech, headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness or a loss of balance, fatigue or drowsiness, sleeping more than usual, or difficulty sleeping.

The sensory symptoms of mild TBI can include blurred vision, ringing in the ears, a bad taste in your mouth, and changes in your ability to smell. You may also experience sensitivity to light or sound.

Cognitive or mental symptoms include memory or concentration problems, mood swings, and feelings of depression or anxiety.

Symptoms of Moderate to Severe Traumatic Brain Injury

Moderate to severe TBI can include any of the signs and symptoms of mild injury, in addition to the following physical and cognitive or mental symptoms that may appear within the first hours to days after a head injury:

Physical symptoms can include a loss of consciousness that can last from several minutes to hours, a persistent headache, convulsions or seizures, a loss of coordination, vomiting or nausea, clear fluids that drain from your nose or ears, an inability to awaken from sleep, weakness or numbness in your fingers and toes, and dilated pupils.

Cognitive or mental symptoms include profound confusion, slurred speech, agitation and combativeness, coma, and other disorders of consciousness.

Symptoms of TBI in Children

Infants and young children with brain injuries can’t always communicate things like headaches, sensory problems, confusion and other similar issues. So it’s especially important to be watchful for symptoms like: changes in their eating or nursing habits, unusual or easy irritability, persistent crying and the inability to be consoled, changes in their ability to pay attention, drowsiness, changes in sleeping patterns, a sad or depressed mood, seizures, and a loss of interest in their favorite toys or activities.

When Should You See a Doctor for Traumatic Brain Injury?

You should always see your doctor if you or your child has received a blow to the head or body that concerns you or causes changes in behavior. Seek emergency medical attention if you exhibit any signs or symptoms of traumatic brain injury after a recent blow or other traumatic injury to the head. Remember that even a mild injury to the brain is still serious and requires prompt attention and an accurate diagnosis.

Do You Need to Talk to a Lawyer About Traumatic Brain Injury?

If you’ve suffered a TBI because of someone else’s negligence or carelessness, we may be able to help you. Call 818-230-8380 or fill out the form below to tell us what happened. We’ll be happy to visit you at home, in the hospital or in our office – and if you’re entitled to compensation, we can help you get what you deserve.