Brain injuries can stem from a host of causes. Accidents, falls, car crashes and explosions can all cause head trauma. While there is a chance that an injury to the head won’t result in a damage to the brain, it is also possible that it can result in a traumatic brain injury (TBI).
For individuals who have this type of injury, extensive medical care might be necessary. Here are some points to consider after suffering a brain injury:
Symptoms might be delayed
The symptoms of a brain injury might be delayed. You may not notice anything amiss at the scene of the accident, but begin to experience symptoms in the following days. Some of the more common symptoms of a TBI include:
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Nausea or vomiting
- Confusion
- Loss of consciousness
- Trouble speaking normally
- Changes in sleep habits
- Fatigue
- Sensitivity to stimuli like light or sound
- Difficulty concentrating
- Mood swings
Moderate to severe injuries have more serious symptoms. These include:
- Dilation of the pupil
- Seizures
- Prolonged loss of consciousness
- Clear fluids draining from the ears or nose
- Inability to remain awake
- Slurred speech
- Agitation
- Coma
A person who has had any type of head trauma, including a violent shaking of the head, should seek medical care if they have any of these symptoms. It is better to have an evaluation and find out nothing is wrong than it is to have a TBI and not realize it until it manifests into something even more serious.
Lifelong impacts of a TBI
The severity of the injury has a big impact on the ultimate outcome. Even mild TBIs like concussions can lead to devastating conditions like chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). This condition can only be diagnosed at autopsy but can cause fits of rage or suicidal tendencies. While it is most often associated with contact sports like football or boxing, it may also develop in those who suffer more than one TBI, even if they are all minor.
Because of the impacts of brain injuries and the cost of medical care to treat them, some victims might choose to seek compensation for their conditions. This is done in civil court and names the person who is liable for the accident as the defendant in the case.
