Brain Injury Symptoms and Diagnosis

Around 166 Americans die from brain injuries every day. As a result, it's important to recognize traumatic brain injury (TBI) symptoms, to understand how doctors diagnose them, and to know your legal rights if you've suffered one. Below, you'll find information about the causes, symptoms, treatment methods, and legal options related to traumatic brain injuries.

Common Causes of Brain Injuries

Brain injury symptoms generally begin to appear shortly after the trauma occurs. Brain injuries are caused by an impact to the brain that causes an interference with normal brain function, such as from a jolt or blow to the head. They can also be caused by an object penetrating the skull, such as shrapnel. Common causes include,

• Vehicle-related collisions
• Sports injuries
• Falls (Falls are the most common cause of brain injuries.)
• Violence, such as domestic violence, child abuse, and gunshot wounds
• Explosions and combat injuries
• Medical malpractice, such as birth injuries, improper use of anesthesia, or failure to diagnose a brain tumor
• Workplace accidents

Brain Injury Symptoms

Some brain injury symptoms include the following:

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

If you are experiencing any brain injury symptoms, you should seek immediate medical treatment. Also, brain injury symptoms may not appear immediately, so you should seek medical assistance if you think you may have suffered a TBI.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Doctors use several methods to determine whether a brain injury has occurred, including:

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

Treatment for brain injuries range 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 may be dealing with a TBI, you should seek medical attention from a qualified medical professional.

Know Your Rights

The costs of medical treatment, including costs of rehabilitation, therapy, or assisted care can cost hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars. If your brain injury was caused by someone else, you may have the right to be compensated for your injury and the costs you incurred. Typical ways that another person may be held liable 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 brain injury symptoms may dismiss them as not serious and may not seek medical treatment. Additionally, doctors may misdiagnose brain injury symptoms or fail to recognize the signs of a brain injury. TBIs are serious medical issues with real-world consequences. People with brain injuries may require medical and legal assistance.

If you believe you are suffering brain injury symptoms, have been diagnosed with a brain injury, or think you have been misdiagnosed by a doctor, you should seek the help of a qualified brain injury lawyer. A lawyer can also help you negotiate with an insurance company, file a worker's compensation claim, and apprise you of any other rights you may have. You shouldn't delay, as many states have statute of limitations laws limiting the time you have to file a lawsuit.