Warning Signs of a Traumatic Brain Injury
If somebody sustains a blow to the head or neck area, time is of the essence. Because this can lead to neurological injury, traumatic brain injury (TBI) warning signs must be identified quickly. Unfortunately, far too many families understand the damage that a brain injury can cause. Countless families every year have to deal with the aftermath of a loved one who will never be the same. Based on statistics that have been published recently by the Brain Injury Association:
- More than a million people in the United States are seen in the emergency department for brain injuries every year.
- Close to 250,000 people are hospitalized every year for a traumatic brain injury.
- Around 33 percent of these people will be discharged from the hospital with chronic, long-term complications stemming from their injuries.
- About 50,000 people every year die secondary to a TBI.
These statistics are frightening and demonstrate the severity of TBIs. Therefore, it is essential for everyone to understand how a TBI is going to present.
Alarm Symptoms of a Traumatic Brain Injury
If someone is concerned about a traumatic brain injury, the first step is to consider the mechanism. Some historical factors increase the chances of a TBI occurring. They include:
- Motor vehicle accidents, such as auto accidents, truck crashes, and motorcycle wrecks.
- Contact sports such as lacrosse, basketball, football, and rugby.
- Slip and fall injuries including stairs, icy sidewalks, and wet floors.
- A personal history of a prior TBI, such as a concussion.
- Physical assault including blunt and penetrating trauma.
If the mechanism places an individual at risk of a head injury, the next step is to consider the symptoms. There are a few alarm symptoms and warning signs that could indicate a TBI. Some of these include:
- Nausea and vomiting which stem from changes in the intracranial pressure secondary to intracerebral swelling.
- Difficulty walking due to muscle coordination problems secondary to damage to the motor cortex.
- Numbness and tingling which indicate sensory difficulties.
- Waxing and waning consciousness, which might indicate a bleed inside the brain.
- A depression in the skull secondary to a skull fracture.
- A “thunderclap” headache or one described as the “worst headache of my life.”
These signs and symptoms indicate that a TBI might have occurred. The individual requires emergent medical attention so that a rapid diagnosis can be made. It could end up saving that person’s life.
Rapid Diagnosis of a TBI is Essential
If someone comes to an emergency room with the alarm symptoms discussed above, a quick diagnosis is essential. Time is brain tissue, and a rapid diagnosis could preserve vital motor and sensory function. One of the tests that will probably be ordered is a CT scan. This is a quick scan that can show bone fractures and brain bleeds, helping to confirm the diagnosis. After the diagnosis is established, the treatment process can begin. This could include intravenous antibiotics, steroids to relieve the increase in intracranial pressure and emergent surgery to evacuate a brain bleed.
Watch YouTube Video: Mild Traumatic Brain Injury. The video below demonstrates two types of mild traumatic brain injuries and the damages that can occur.
Contacting a Personal Injury Law Firm
For a family trying to navigate the waters with a loved one in a hospital, this can be a challenge. When loved ones have to face the uncertainty that follows the diagnosis of a TBI, it is vital to ask for help. Speaking with an experienced brain injury attorney can go a long way. An injury lawyer can provide assistance through:
- Helping families make challenging decisions by acting as an objective presence during a tough time.
- Meeting with professionals who specialize in recreating accidents to ensure that the mechanism is correct.
- Helping families pursue damages that might be related to the TBI, its complications, pain, and suffering.
Speak with a traumatic brain injury lawyer in San Francisco today. You may be able to recover financial compensation stemming from the injuries suffered by a negligent party.
San Francisco Traumatic Brain Injury Attorney
I’m Ed Smith, a traumatic brain injury lawyer in San Francisco. Anyone with signs or symptoms of a TBI should seek medical care as quickly as possible. If a family member or yourself has suffered a traumatic brain injury in an accident, please reach out to me at (415) 805-7284 or (800) 404-5400 for free, friendly advice.
I have been inducted into the Million Dollar Advocates Forum for the state of California. This section of injury lawyers has been ranked with many of the top trial lawyers in the United States. Its attorneys have settled cases or received verdicts of greater than one million dollars.
Please view my membership in the Top One Percent, a National Association of Distinguished Counsel. You are also invited to look at some of my verdicts/settlements.
Take a look at what my prior clients have to say about my services: Avvo, Yelp, and Google.
Attribution of Image: Pixabay.com
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