Brain injuries cause 30 percent of all deaths due to trauma each year in the United States. Commonly caused by falls and car accidents, brain injuries affect at least 1.7 million people annually – including many in South Carolina.
They can occur as a result of either open or closed-head injuries.
Brain injuries do not always show immediate symptoms. Because of the high risks associated with a traumatic brain injury (TBI), it is essential to seek treatment right away after any accident where brain injury may have occurred.
At Joye Law Firm, our attorneys have helped many TBI victims take legal action after an accident caused by someone else’s negligence. A brain injury can affect every aspect of a victim’s life, and the treatment process can be expensive and lengthy.
Call Joye Law Firm today to learn how we can help you get the compensation you deserve.
Signs of a Traumatic Brain Injury
Symptoms of a traumatic brain injury may appear immediately or may appear days or weeks after the initial injury occurred. Symptoms vary depending on whether the injury was moderate or severe.
Symptoms of mild traumatic brain injury may include:
- Brief loss of consciousness
- Disorientation or confusion
- Memory problems
- Difficulty concentrating
- Headache
- Balance problems
- Dizziness
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Blurred vision
- Ringing in the ears
- A strange taste in the mouth
- Other sensory problems
- Sensitivity to sound
- Sensitivity to light
- Unpredictable moods or mood swings
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Unusual sleep patterns, including insomnia, fatigue or drowsiness.
Symptoms of moderate to severe traumatic brain injury may include:
- Loss of consciousness for several hours or longer
- Intense confusion
- Unusual behavior including aggression or combativeness
- Slurred speech
- Inability to wake up from sleeping
- Numbness or weakness in the fingers and toes
- Coordination problems
- Severe headache or headache that continually worsens
- Repeated vomiting
- Long-lasting nausea
- Seizures
- Convulsions
- Dilated pupils
- Clear fluid draining from the ears or from the nose.
For young children, recognizing symptoms of a brain injury may be difficult. Parents should be on the lookout for changes in nursing habits or eating habits, an inability to pay attention, disinterest in favored toys or activities and persistent crying.
Get Medical Help Immediately
If you experience a blow to the head, it is a good idea to see a doctor right away. Your physician can check for bruising or bleeding in the brain that could cause serious complications. Your injuries can also be documented in a way that may help demonstrate the cause of the brain injury in a personal injury claim.
If you suffered a brain injury that was caused by someone else’s negligence or wrongdoing, you should speak with an experienced attorney. At Joye Law Firm, we can help you get the compensation you deserve for medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages and other losses.
Call Joye Law Firm or contact us online today to learn more.
Sources:
- Mayo Clinic – Traumatic Brain Injury: Symptoms
- CDC – Injury Prevention & Control: Traumatic Brain Injury
