Personal Injury Lawyer
A traumatic brain injury can be mild, where only some symptoms are experienced, or severe, where the brain suffers from bruising and bleeding. Both kinds should be taken seriously and acted on immediately to prevent further permanent damage. Not everyone knows that they have a brain injury, however, and not all brain injuries develop from the same causes. Here’s how to prepare yourself in the event that you or someone you know gets a brain injury.
- Signs of a Brain Injury
Signs of a brain injury vary greatly, and not all symptoms may arise in a single individual. Knowing all the symptoms can help you determine if you have an injury or not. If you notice that someone is having trouble speaking, seems confused or dazed, briefly loses consciousness, suffers from nausea or vomiting, or complains of persistent headaches, you may be dealing with an injury.
- Differences Between Traumatic and Non-Traumatic
Traumatic injuries simply mean that a person received some form of blow to the head, which may have bruised the brain or shattered the skull. A non-traumatic injury indicates that a person suffered from an illness or condition that affected the brain. Strokes, tumors, cancer, infections, inflammation, and hypoxia are examples of non-traumatic causes.
- Common Causes
There are five major causes of traumatic brain injuries, and some affect certain demographics more than others. Slips and falls impact a majority of older groups, while car accidents make up the majority of younger groups. Sports have caused a number of brain injuries as well. Physical trauma due to explosives and violent assaults make up the rest of the majority of injuries.
- High Risk Groups
Several demographics are more at-risk for brain injuries than others. Children are more likely to suffer an injury because of violence (in infants, shaken baby syndrome is synonymous with a brain injury). Younger adults, the mid-teens to early twenties, and adults over 60 are also at risk. Males are more likely to get a brain injury than females.
- Steps to Take If You Have an Injury
If you suspect you may have a brain injury, don’t wait to see a doctor. Symptoms and conditions may worsen over time, so getting care immediately increases your chance of a faster recovery. If you recognize the symptoms in someone else, call 911. Don’t hesitate to talk to a lawyer, like a personal injury lawyer from the Law Offices of Arcadier, Biggie, & Wood, if you are having a difficult time getting coverage for your medical bills from the insurance agency.
