Traumatic brain injuries occur after serious damage to the cranium and can result in lifelong consequences to victims.In 2014, there were 2.87 million traumatic brain injuries that resulted in emergency department visits, hospitalization, or death in the United States. This was a 53 percent increase of reported traumatic brain injuries compared to what was reported in 2006 (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2019).
According to the Mayo Clinic, traumatic brain injuries usually result from a violent blow or jolt to the head or body (Mayo, 2019). They can also occur when an object penetrates the skull. While car accidents may cause traumatic brain injuries, these injuries can also develop after other types of head trauma.
Symptoms of Traumatic Brain Injuries
Symptoms of traumatic brain injuries can vary in different people and are categorized in ranges of severity: mild, moderate, or severe.
Mild Symptoms
Mild symptoms of traumatic brain injuries include:
- A brief loss of consciousness for a few seconds to a few minutes
- Lightheadedness
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Fatigue or dizziness
- Nausea or vomiting
- Confusion
- Problems remembering, concentrating, paying attention or thinking
- Blurred vision or tired eyes
- Ringing in the ears
- A bad taste in the mouth
- Sensitivity to light or sound
Moderate to Severe Symptoms
If you or a loved one has a moderate to severe traumatic brain injuries, you may experience mild symptoms, but also have additional symptoms such as:
- Loss of consciousness from several minutes to hours
- Coma
- Paralysis
- Weakness or numbness in the limbs
- A headache that gets worse or does not go away
- Repeated vomiting or nausea
- Convulsions or seizures
- A change in sleep patterns
- Dilation of pupils
- Coordination problems, including a lack of balance
- Vision changes, such as blurred vision, not being able to tolerate bright light or loss of eye movement
- Breathing problems, such as a slow breathing rate
- Increase confusion, agitation or restlessness
- Speech problems, including slurred speech, difficulty articulating words or meanings or problems understanding
- Difficulty swallowing
- Loss of bowel control or bladder control
(Mayo 2019).
The CDC reported that 837,000 of the 2.87 million traumatic brain injuries in 2014 were children. Young children are particularly susceptible to traumatic brain injuries because their bodies are still developing. Be cautious for the following symptoms if your child was involved in a car accident or recently suffered a blow to the head:
- Change in eating or nursing habits
- Change in sleep patterns
- Continued crying
- Irritability
- Drowsiness
- Loss of interest in favorite toys or activities
(Mayo 2019).
If you suspect a traumatic brain injury, call 911 immediately or go to the emergency room to try to mitigate the damage.
Common Causes of Traumatic Brain Injuries
Some of the most common causes of traumatic brain injuries are:
- Falls
- Motor vehicle collisions
- Sports injuries
- Being struck by an object
- Blast injuries
(MedLine Plus).
Seek Legal Assistance
If you believe that you or your loved one may have suffered a traumatic brain injury, it is important that you seek immediate medical attention. A delay in treatment can have devastating consequences. After receiving medical attention, contact Winocour Law at 214-575-6060 to explore your legal options.
References:
Traumatic Brain Injury, March 29, 2019, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/traumatic-brain-injury/symptoms-causes/syc-20378557