Traumatic Brain Injuries

Traumaticbrain injury (TBI) is acquired when a sudden trauma causes damage to thebrain. The Centers for Disease Control andPrevention estimates approximately 1.5 million individuals suffer anaccident resulting in TBI each year, and as many as 5.3 million people sufferfrom related disabilities. These disabilities may impair a person’s family andsocial life, or their ability to effectively perform their jobs.

While many accidents can cause TBI, such as a fall from a bicycle,slipping on ice, or even flying debris, motor vehicle accidents remain the mostcommon. The speed at which cars travel can generate an amazing force on impact,causing a person’s head to strike an unforgiving object like a steering wheelor dashboard. If you have been involved in a motor vehicle accident andsustained head trauma, you will want to contact a personal injury lawyer withsufficient experience with TBIs.

Symptoms

Accordingto the National Institute of NeurologicalDisorders and Strokes (NINDS), symptoms of mildTBI may include:

• Headache
• Confusion
• Lightheadedness
• Dizziness
• Blurred vision or tired eyes
• Ringing in the ears
• Bad taste in the mouth
• Fatigue or lethargy
• Changes in sleep patterns
• Behavioral or mood changes
• Trouble with memory, concentration, attention, or thinking 

Symptoms of moderate or severe TBI may include:

• Headaches that get worse or do not go away
• Repeated vomiting or nausea
• Convulsions or seizures
• An inability to awaken from sleep
• Dilation of one or both pupils of the eyes
• Slurred speech
• Weakness or numbness in the extremities
• Loss of coordination
• Increased confusion, restlessness, or agitation

Types ofHead Injuries

Common types of head injuries include skull fractures,epidural hematomas, subdural hematomas, intracerebral hematomas, and diffuseaxonal injury. A CT Scan is the preferred method fordiagnosing TBI. Severity is based on the Glasgow Coma scale, with scoresranging from mild (13-15) to severe (8 or lower).

Long term disabilities resulting from a TBI can vary greatlydepending on a number of factors: Severity of the injury, location of theinjury, general health as well as the age of the victim. Common long-term disabilitiesinclude impacted cognition, communication, sensory processing, and behavior andmental health issues. Serious injury can result in stupor, sharp pain, and evenlong-term comas. Approximately 50% of TBI victims will require surgery.

NINDS, in conjunction with the NationalInstitute of Health are currently conducting research in laboratories andclinical studies to improve long-term recovery. NINDS is also offering grantsfor studies in medical clinics throughout the nation.           

YourLegal Rights

TBI cases can be difficult to prove in court because many TBIpatients appear outwardly functional. Medical classifications can be mild, butthat does not indicate the suffering of the TBI patient is also mild, nor doesit diminish the impact on an individual’s life and livelihood.