Massachusetts Personal Injury Library
What is a Traumatic Brain Injury?
Causes of a Traumatic Brain Injury
Commonly referred to as a TBI, a traumatic brain injury is the result of any sudden external force that damages the brain including an object violently hitting the head or piercing the skull as well as rapid acceleration or deceleration.
Traumatic brain injuries carry with them an extensive array of resulting physical and mental disabilities and account for over 50,000 deaths a year in the U.S. alone.
The extent of the damage depends on:
- the type of the impact causing the injury
- the severity of the impact,
- the initial injury (damage caused at the moment of injury),
- the secondary injury (events that occur in the minutes or days following the initial injury),
- the areas of the brain affected, and
- the course of treatment.
Motor vehicle accidents are the #1 cause of traumatic brain injuries and are responsible for 50% of documented cases.
Symptoms of a TBI
TBI symptoms can be mild, moderate, or severe and can show themselves in a variety of ways. A person with a mild TBI may even remain conscious following the incident.
Symptoms of a Mild TBI include:
- Headache
- Confusion or Disorientation
- Loss of conscious for several seconds or minutes
- Lightheadedness
- Dizziness
- Blurred Vision or Tired Eyes
- Ringing in the ears
- A bad taste in the mouth
- Fatigue or Lethargy
- Change in Sleeping Patterns
- Behavioral or Mood Changes
- Trouble with Memory, Concentration, Attention, or Thinking abilities
Symptoms of a Moderate to Severe TBI include (in addition to those listed above):
- Headache that worsens or will not go away
- Repeated Nausea or Vomiting
- Convulsions or Seizures
- Inability to waken from sleep
- Dilation of one or both pupils
- Slurred Speech
- Weakness or Numbness in the extremities
- Loss of Coordination
- Increased Confusion, Restlessness, or Agitation
Resulting Effects of a TBI
TBI’s can impact a multitude of body functions (both physical and mental) since these are all controlled in the brain. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, common disabilities that result from traumatic brain injuries include problems with:
- Cognition (thinking, reasoning abilities, memory)
- Sensory Processing (how your brain interprets sight, hearing, touch, taste, and smell)
- Communication (expression and understanding)
- Behavior and Mental Health (depression, anxiety, personality changes, aggression, acting out, and social inappropriateness)
It is important to see a physician immediately if you believe you or someone you love has experienced a brain trauma. Because brain trauma covers such a large extent of damage, everything from a complete recovery to permanent disability or death, are all possible outcomes. Receiving medical attention as soon as possible greatly increases the odds of recovery but may include necessary surgery, physical rehabilitation, and/or therapy.
If you or someone you love has sustained life altering injuries as the result of a car accident or rollover in Massachusetts, contact the Boston brain injury lawyers Kiley Law Group today at 1-888-208-1695 to receive a FREE CONSULTATION.
We can’t take away your pain and suffering, but our experienced personal Massachusetts brain injury lawyers will fight for the compensation you deserve!
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