Defining Traumatic Brain Injury
The brain controls every function of the body. It dictates what we do, say, think and feel. Damage to the brain can therefore significantly alter someone’s life. A traumatic brain injury can occur when there is a blow or jolt to the head that does not penetrate the skull (closed brain injury) or when an object penetrates the skull and enters the brain tissue.
A closed traumatic brain injury is the result of a blow or jolt to the head from a foreign object. For example, a person is in an automobile accident hits his head on the steering wheel or someone falls at work and strikes her head on a hard surface. Closed brain injuries can be deceiving because symptoms may not appear immediately and there is not an obvious open wound. Even in the case of a mild closed brain injury; however, the victim can suffer permanent debilitating physical, cognitive and emotional conditions.
A penetrating brain injury occurs when a foreign object penetrates the skull and enters the brain tissue causing damage to specific areas of the brain. The effects will depend on the area of the brain that is damaged. An example of how a penetrating brain injury can occur, is when a piece of a car door breaks off during an auto accident and enters the skull of the driver or passenger in the vehicle. Penetrating brain injuries are easier to diagnose due to the obvious nature of the injury.
Symptoms of Traumatic Brain Injury
Symptoms of traumatic brain injury vary depending on the severity of the damage to the brain tissue and the area of the brain that is injured, but can be divided into four main categories:
- Cognitive symptoms include memory loss, confusion, slurred speech, problems reading & writing, problems understanding spoken words, distractibility and impulsiveness.
- Physical symptoms include loss of consciousness, seizures, chronic pain, headaches, paralysis, sleep disorders and loss of control of bodily functions.
- Emotional symptoms include depression, aggression, irritability, lack of motivation and dependent behaviors.
- Sensory symptoms include the diminished or loss of any of the five senses such as blurred vision, sensitivity to light, ringing in the ears, diminished sense of taste, etc.
Someone who has been in an accident and experiences any of these symptoms should be examined by a neurologist as soon as possible. Specific diagnostic tests can help ensure proper treatment for a TBI. Traumatic brain injuries often require expensive and sometimes long-term medical care. If the injury was caused by someone else’s negligence, the injured accident victim may be entitled to recover damages and should immediately seek the advice of a personal injury attorney.
Contact an experienced Long Beach Traumatic Brain Injury Attorney For More Information
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Call the Law Office of Michael D. Waks at 888-394-1174 or use the convenient online contact form to schedule a free consultation. You are under no obligation and you will never pay any money unless you recover damages for your injuries. I offer bilingual services as part of my comprehensive approach to legal representation and I am available 24/7 to talk to you about your case.