A traumatic brain injury (TBI) occurs when a sudden trauma causes damage to the brain. A TBI can occur when the head suddenly and violently hits an object or when an object pierces the skull. TBI's can be mild or severe, and the symptoms of TBI vary depending on the severity of the injury. Some TBI symptoms include, but are not limited to, headache, lightheadedness, confusion, blurred vision, dizziness, ringing in the ears, nausea, lethargy, disturbed sleep patterns, and trouble with memory, concentration, and cognitive functioning.
Brain Injury Severity
If you have suffered a brain injury, it is important to understand that the rating of the severity of your injury refers only to the initial, not the long-term, damage. Even a "mild" brain injury can have serious long-term consequences.
· Mild brain injury
A mild brain injury causes a brief loss of consciousness, lasting no more than a few minutes, or no loss of consciousness at all. Immediately afterwards, the victim is dazed and/or confused.
· Moderate brain injury
Loss of consciousness lasts several minutes to several hours. Confusion can last for weeks or months. Impairment may last for several months or can be permanent.
· Severe brain injury
Loss of consciousness lasts for days, weeks, or months. Severe brain injury can result in a coma, vegetative state, or "locked-in" syndrome. Severe brain injuries cause loss of consciousness for days, weeks, or months. Impairment may be permanent.
Anyone showing signs of TBI should seek medical attention immediately. Because little can be done to reverse the initial brain damage caused by head trauma, medical professionals will try to stabilize an individual with TBI and focus on preventing further injury. Primary concerns typically involve insuring proper oxygen supply to the brain, maintaining blood flow and controlling blood pressure.
Common Causes of TBI
Most TBI's are caused by motor vehicle crashes, crashes involving off-road vehicles, such as ATV's, falls and jumps, and being struck by another person or an object. Explosive blast injuries sustained in combat are an emerging cause of traumatic brain injury, and TBI has been named the "signature wound" of the war in Iraq. It has been estimated that 20% of infantry troops and 10% of all American troops have suffered a traumatic brain injury
Because TBI's affect different areas of the brain in different ways, no two brain injuries are alike.
Approximately one-half of all TBI patients will need surgery to repair ruptured blood vessels or bruised brain tissue. Some common disabilities suffered after a TBI are problems with cognition, sensory processing, communication, and mental health/behavior. More serious head injuries may result in an unresponsive state; a coma; a vegetative state; or a persistent vegetative state.
Personal Injury attorneys usually have a great deal of experience with brain injury cases and know how to fight the insurance companies who are anxious to settle and pay as little as possible to you. If your brain injury occurred through the negligence or misconduct of someone else, we will fight to have that party pay for the suffering they have caused.
Brain Injury Severity
If you have suffered a brain injury, it is important to understand that the rating of the severity of your injury refers only to the initial, not the long-term, damage. Even a "mild" brain injury can have serious long-term consequences.
· Mild brain injury
A mild brain injury causes a brief loss of consciousness, lasting no more than a few minutes, or no loss of consciousness at all. Immediately afterwards, the victim is dazed and/or confused.
· Moderate brain injury
Loss of consciousness lasts several minutes to several hours. Confusion can last for weeks or months. Impairment may last for several months or can be permanent.
· Severe brain injury
Loss of consciousness lasts for days, weeks, or months. Severe brain injury can result in a coma, vegetative state, or "locked-in" syndrome. Severe brain injuries cause loss of consciousness for days, weeks, or months. Impairment may be permanent.
Anyone showing signs of TBI should seek medical attention immediately. Because little can be done to reverse the initial brain damage caused by head trauma, medical professionals will try to stabilize an individual with TBI and focus on preventing further injury. Primary concerns typically involve insuring proper oxygen supply to the brain, maintaining blood flow and controlling blood pressure.
Common Causes of TBI
Most TBI's are caused by motor vehicle crashes, crashes involving off-road vehicles, such as ATV's, falls and jumps, and being struck by another person or an object. Explosive blast injuries sustained in combat are an emerging cause of traumatic brain injury, and TBI has been named the "signature wound" of the war in Iraq. It has been estimated that 20% of infantry troops and 10% of all American troops have suffered a traumatic brain injury
Because TBI's affect different areas of the brain in different ways, no two brain injuries are alike.
Approximately one-half of all TBI patients will need surgery to repair ruptured blood vessels or bruised brain tissue. Some common disabilities suffered after a TBI are problems with cognition, sensory processing, communication, and mental health/behavior. More serious head injuries may result in an unresponsive state; a coma; a vegetative state; or a persistent vegetative state.
Personal Injury attorneys usually have a great deal of experience with brain injury cases and know how to fight the insurance companies who are anxious to settle and pay as little as possible to you. If your brain injury occurred through the negligence or misconduct of someone else, we will fight to have that party pay for the suffering they have caused.
Source...