On behalf of Schmitt Law Firm, LLC posted in blog on Tuesday, July 23, 2019.
One of the more debilitating conditions that can arise from an accident is traumatic brain injury. Typically occurring as a result of sustaining an impact to the head, the top causes of TBI include falls and car accidents.
TBI can be complicated to diagnose and expensive to treat. Those who suffer this type of trauma due to another person’s negligence may be able to obtain compensation through a personal injury lawsuit.
Common causes of TBI
TBI may happen when someone falls and hits his or her head. Car accidents can also cause TBI even without a direct impact to the skull, as the abrupt stop from a crash can cause the brain to hit the inside of the skull and sustain damage.
Severe TBI
Those with severe TBI tend to experience more dramatic symptoms relatively soon. Upon impact, a person may lose consciousness for at least 30 minutes and may also experience memory loss. Other signs that may present within a few hours or days include repeated loss of consciousness, serious diminishment of mental or physical function, inability to speak and even coma. Sometimes severe TBI sufferers may experience more moderate TBI symptoms at first.
Identifying moderate symptoms
Moderate TBI is not as bad as severe TBI, but it is still brain damage and should be taken seriously. The initial loss of consciousness generally lasts less than 30 minutes, with a shorter period of memory loss. In some cases, a person may not recall passing out or an impact to the head. Thus, after an accident, some people say they feel fine and refuse to go to the emergency room, only to develop symptoms later.
Moderate TBI symptoms can surface within days or weeks of the accident. They may include headaches, irritability, fatigue, vertigo, mood swings, lack of focus and partial or mild impairment of physical or cognitive functions. These symptoms can be easily mistaken for other things at a different time; however, after an accident, exercising vigilance about any changes in your health can help you get medical attention faster. Keep in mind that sometimes moderate TBI symptoms serve as precursors to more severe ones.