What Are The Common Symptoms Of A Brain Injury? | Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp

When someone is involved in a car accident, a slip and fall, or any other types of accidents, there is a risk that they may suffer some form of traumatic brain injury (TBI). This injury can impact the way an individual thinks, controls their emotions, experiences sensations, and moves about.

Many people who sustain a TBI have to undergo extensive medical treatment. Generally speaking, they can no longer live their lives or work as they did before the accident.

What Is Traumatic Brain Injury?

As described by the Brain Injury Association of America, a traumatic brain injury is one that is caused by external factors such as:

  • Getting struck by an object that penetrates the skull
  • A sudden, violent jerking motion or shaking 

The “trauma” to the brain damages its structure and inhibits it from working in a normal, healthy way. While some injured victims can recover from a traumatic brain injury and return to their pre-accident routines, many other never regain full functioning of their brain. These patients need ongoing treatment and care as well as assistance with basic day-to-day activities.

If you or someone you know has recently suffered a head injury in an accident in Virginia, physicians may have told you that the injury is one of the following kinds of brain damage:

  • Concussion (mild form of TBI; may cause disorientation, confusion, balance problems, anxiety, and depression)
  • Contusion (a bruise on the brain; may require surgery)
  • Coup-Contrecoup (both sides of the brain are damaged severely; impairs memory, swallowing, coordination and sensation)
  • Diffuse Axonal (one side of the brain is severely damaged, can be fatal)
  • Penetration (it occurs when an object breaks into the skull; can lead to permanent disability or death)

Common Signs of Traumatic Brain Injury In Accident Victims

If you suffer a blow to the head – be it during a car crash or a slip and fall accident – you must seek medical attention right away.

It should be noted that the symptoms of a traumatic brain injury can take several days and even weeks to manifest. If you were involved in a vehicle crash, and you have no visible physical injuries, it does not mean that you are okay. Getting evaluated by a physician is a must after you’ve been in an accident, regardless of how you feel. 

Here are the signs and symptoms of a traumatic brain injury, depending on the extent of the damage to the brain:

Mild Traumatic Brain Injury 

In case of mild TBI, you may remain conscious or may lose consciousness for a few minutes. Here are some of the most common signs of a mild TBI:

  • Lightheadedness
  • Headache
  • Confusion
  • Dizziness 
  • Ringing in the ears
  • Blurred vision
  • Lethargy or fatigue
  • Bad taste in the mouth 
  • Trouble with concentration, memory, thinking, and attention
  • Changes in mood or behavior
  • Change in sleep patterns 

Moderate-to-Severe Traumatic Brain Injury

If you have sustained a moderate or severe TBI, you may experience the following signs in addition to the ones described in case of a mild TBI:

  • Seizures or convulsions 
  • Repeated nausea or vomiting
  • A headache that does not go away or gets worse
  • Slurred speech
  • Dilation of one/both pupils of the eyes
  • Loss of coordination
  • Numbness or weakness in the extremities
  • An inability to awaken from sleep
  • Agitation or restlessness

How Can A Personal Injury Attorney Can Help

If you have suffered a TBI, you may require medical care that includes emergency treatment, intensive care, surgery, rehabilitation, lengthy convalescence, use of assistive devices, medication, and ongoing care. Depending on the extent of the damage, treatment may continue for several months or even years.

The costs of this treatment and rehabilitation can reach hundreds of thousands of dollars within a span of days. In fact, the costs may be several million dollars over the course of the patient’s lifetime.

If you or a loved one has suffered any kind of injury or damage to the brain, do not hesitate to reach out to a personal injury attorney to file a traumatic brain injury claim.

At Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp, our compassionate and experienced brain injury attorneys will listen closely, address your concerns, and explain your legal rights and options moving forward. We will consult with the top medical professionals in the state to evaluate the impact of the brain injury on your life.

For example, we usually work with experts who design life care plans that provide a comprehensive description of a patient’s personal care and medical requirements (and costs) for the future. A plan may cover expected medication, medical treatment, home modification, assistive devices, and more. 

Our goal is to fight for your compensation through a settlement or a trial if that’s what it takes. Our tenacious attorneys can secure fair compensation for you which may include:

  • All medical expenses (past and future)
  • Lost wages as well as lost earning capacity
  • Loss of normal life (disability)
  • Caretaking costs
  • Physical and mental pain and suffering
  • Shortened life expectancy

Contact Our Virginia Traumatic Brain Injury Attorneys Today

If you have suffered a TBI due to the negligence or wrongful conduct of someone else, you have the right to seek compensation for your injury and losses. At Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp, our “Super Lawyers” have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts for our clients since 1985.  

We realize the impact that TBI can have on the lives of victims as well as their families. If someone else’s reckless behavior has caused you or a loved one to suffer a serious injury to brain, let us help you hold the at-fault party accountable. Call us today at (833) 997-1774 or contact us online to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation.

References:

https://www.hsinjurylaw.com/reports/the-traumatic-brain-injury-guide.cfm

https://www.hsinjurylaw.com/library/tbis-explained.cfm

https://www.hsinjurylaw.com/library/traumatic-brain-injuries.cfm