Trauma to the brain is one of the most serious injuries anyone can suffer. Although the severity of a traumatic brain injury (TBI) can vary, those who sustain injuries to the head should always be evaluated and closely monitored for symptoms affecting the brain.
Many cases of TBI arise from motor vehicle collisions, falls, and other accidents. If someone else is responsible for your injuries, a brain injury lawyer can pursue the full compensation you deserve for medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages.
Do You Have a TBI?
The symptoms of a traumatic brain injury may not arise immediately after a blow to the head. For this reason, it is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible after any accident where you suffer a head injury.
Medical professionals will perform a full exam to determine whether you have a TBI. This process typically involves:
- Assessing the patient’s ability to open their eyes in response to stimuli
- Assessing verbal response to a doctor’s questions
- Assessing motor response
- Conducting a CT scan
- Performing an MRI
These tests can help doctors determine if a patient has sustained a traumatic brain injury, as well as how serious the TBI is. Evaluation of any symptoms the patient is experiencing is another key factor in diagnosing a brain injury.
What Are the Early Symptoms of a TBI?
Loss of consciousness is one of the major causes of concern after a head injury. If the victim loses consciousness for even a few seconds after the accident, this could be a sign of a TBI.
How long the loss of consciousness lasts is often an indicator of how serious a traumatic brain injury is. Mild TBIs may involve losing consciousness for up to a few minutes, while more serious brain injuries can result in loss of consciousness that lasts for hours.
Additional early signs of a serious traumatic brain injury include:
- “Blown” pupils (pupils that are fully dilated and do not shrink when exposed to light)
- Seizures
- Discharge of clear liquid from the ears or nose (this is a cerebrospinal fluid leak, a sign that the lining around the brain has been damaged)
In more mild cases of brain injury (such as a concussion), the patient may appear to be confused, disoriented, and/or irritable. Other symptoms of a mild TBI that may arise shortly after an injury to the head include:
- Headache
- Blurred vision
- Sensitivity to light
- Ringing in the ears
- Feelings of dizziness
- Fatigue
Mild brain injuries do not always result in loss of consciousness, so patients may be able to report these symptoms themselves. Paramedics, doctors, and other medical providers should be notified of these signs as soon as possible.
What TBI Symptoms Can Arise Later?
Victims of brain injuries are not “out of the woods” if their symptoms after the accident are mild. The extent of a TBI may not be apparent until several days or even weeks have passed after the accident.
Delayed symptoms that may arise some time after a brain injury include:
- Chronic or recurring headaches
- Periods of confusion
- Changes in visual acuity
- Tinnitus (persistent ringing in the ears when no such sound is present)
- Insomnia
- Memory loss and difficulty retaining new information
- Impaired motor skills
- Difficulties with speech
- Changes in sensation
- Sudden changes in mood
If these symptoms suddenly arise or get worse over time, you should talk to a doctor as soon as possible. They may be indicative of severe complications such as swelling or bleeding in the brain.
What Is the Outlook for Traumatic Brain Injuries?
Every case of brain injury is different. Some brain injuries (especially mild ones such as concussions) may resolve over time and with appropriate treatment. In more severe cases, however, the effects of a traumatic brain injury may be permanent.
Victims of moderate and severe brain injuries may experience a number of long-term complications, including:
- Intellectual deficits – damage to the brain can affect cognitive abilities (such as memory, judgment, etc.) as well as “executive functions” (such as the ability to plan, make sound decisions, start a task and see it through to the end, etc.)
- Difficulty regulating emotions – brain injury victims may struggle with issues of impulsivity, anger, and more
- Loss of social skills
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Sleep disorders
- Greater risk of conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and other disorders later in life
All of these issues can have an adverse effect on the victim’s life. You may struggle to return to your career, face difficulties maintaining relationships, and experience a diminished quality and enjoyment of life. These challenges are often exacerbated by the high costs of medical care for traumatic brain injuries.
Contact a Brain Injury Lawyer Today
Brain injuries often arise as a result of car accidents and other events where the negligence of another party is a factor. As such, TBI victims should seek legal counsel to determine whether they have a claim against the liable party or parties.
The Flood Law Firm has the experience, resources, and litigation skill to pursue maximum compensation in your claim. We partner with leading experts in brain injuries to assess the full scope of your losses and aggressively pursue the successful resolution of your case. We have achieved millions of dollars in settlements and trial awards on behalf of our clients; our results speak for themselves.
Please call The Flood Law Firm at (860) 346-2695 today for a free case evaluation. Our brain injury lawyers serve clients in Middletown, Danbury, Bridgeport, Waterbury, and all of Connecticut.
