Brain Injury Symptoms and Diagnosis

Experiencing a traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a life-altering event. Recognizing its symptoms and understanding the medical care necessary for treatment is essential for the accident victim and their loved ones.

Diving deeper into TBI, we'll review the common causes, vital signs, crucial treatment procedures, and the potential aftermath of such an injury. Having the right knowledge about TBIs can make a significant difference in the recovery journey for brain injury victims and their family members.

Brain Injury Symptoms

Some brain injury symptoms include the following:

• Numbness
• Excessive drowsiness
• Severe headache
• Memory loss
• Weakness in your arms or legs
• Dizziness or loss of vision
• Dilated pupils
• Slurred speech
• Loss of consciousness or confusion
• Vomiting or nausea

If you are experiencing any brain injury symptoms after a motor vehicle accident, you should seek immediate medical treatment. Also, brain injury symptoms may not appear immediately, so you should seek medical help if you think you may have suffered a severe TBI.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Doctors use several methods to determine whether brain damage has happened, including:

• Glasgow Coma Scale Test: This test for possible brain injury symptoms evaluates how well an injured person follows simple directions to determine the severity of an injury.
• Imaging tests: CT scans and MRI scans to view an injury in the brain
• Interviews: Evaluation of those present at the time of the event

Treatment for brain injury cases ranges from rest and over-the-counter pain medication to anti-seizure drugs and surgery, depending on the severity of the injury. Brain injuries may also require the injured person to go through rehabilitation programs, such as speech therapy and physical therapy, to regain their pre-injury functions.

It is important to know that each situation is unique and that the information in this article is not medical advice. If you think you have a TBI, you should seek medical attention from a qualified medical professional.

Types of Brain Injuries: Open and Closed

An open brain injury is when there's a break in the skull, usually because of something like a hard hit. Imagine dropping a watermelon and seeing it crack open; an open brain injury is somewhat like that but with the head. It's serious because the brain is exposed.

In a closed brain injury, even if the skull isn't broken, the brain can still get hurt. Think of it like shaking an egg too hard. The outside might look OK, but the inside could be damaged. This happens when the head gets a big bump or jolt.

Serious Brain Injury: Warning Signs

If someone gets a head injury, it's important to watch out for signs that it might be serious. Here are some things to look out for:

1. Headache: An intense pain in the head that doesn't go away.
2. Confusion: Feeling mixed up or not thinking clearly.
3. Dizziness: Feeling like the room is spinning when it's not.
4. Nausea: Feeling like you might throw up.
5. Sleepiness: Feeling very tired or having trouble waking up.
6. Vision problems: Things might look blurry, or there might be bright spots in what you see.
7. Mood changes: Feeling sad, angry, or upset for no apparent reason.

If someone shows any of these signs after hitting their head, it's best to get help from a doctor right away.

Signs of Brain Injuries in Babies and Young Children

Babies and little kids can't always tell us when they're hurt. But if they've had a bump or hit on the head, we should look out for some signs that might mean there's a brain injury:

1. Crying non-stop: If a baby or child won't stop crying and can't be comforted.
2. Sleep changes: They might sleep more than usual or have a hard time falling asleep.
3. Feeding problems: Babies might not want to eat or have trouble sucking.
4. Loss of skills: A child might forget how to do things they used to, like walking or talking.
5. Seizures: Shaking or twitching all over.
6. Dazed look: They seem to daydream and not pay attention.
7. Mood swings: Quick mood changes, like suddenly getting very upset.
8. Bruising: Seeing a bruise or swelling near their head.

If you notice any of these signs, see a doctor right away.

When Symptoms Appear — Timing of a Legal Claim

After someone gets hurt, there's a time limit for making a legal claim. This is the "statute of limitations."

For brain injuries, sometimes the signs don't show up right away. They might take days, weeks, or even longer. But even if it takes a while for the signs to appear, there's still a time limit for making a claim. This time limit is different depending on where you live.

So, if someone gets a brain injury, it's a good idea to talk to a lawyer as soon as you can. They can help you figure out if you can make a claim.

Filing a Personal Injury Claim

Medical treatment costs, including rehabilitation, therapy, or assisted care, can amount to hundreds of thousands of dollars. If someone else caused your severe traumatic brain injury, you may have the right to compensation for your injury and the costs you incurred. Typical ways that another person is at fault for your brain injury include medical malpractice, product liability, and negligence.

Your brain injury symptoms may get worse while you wait to have your injuries diagnosed. Waiting may jeopardize your chances of bringing a lawsuit against the party responsible. Often, people suffering from brain injury symptoms may dismiss them as not serious and may not seek medical treatment. Also, doctors may misdiagnose brain injury symptoms or fail to recognize the signs of a brain injury. But TBIs are serious medical issues with real-world consequences. People with brain injuries may need medical and legal help.

Seek Legal Advice for a Personal Injury Case

If you believe you are suffering brain injury symptoms, see a doctor right away. If you think someone misdiagnosed you, consider seeking the help of a qualified brain injury lawyer. A brain injury attorney can help you negotiate with an insurance company, file a worker's compensation claim, and inform you of any legal options you may have. You shouldn't wait, as many states have statute of limitations laws limiting your time to file a lawsuit.