A traumatic brain injury, or TBI, can be caused by a blow or bump to the head, which places everyone at risk of suffering the severe harm that accompanies their circumstances.
At the Binder Law Group, PLC, our San Fernando Valley & Encino brain injury attorneys are committed to providing our residents with the resources they need to identify the signs and symptoms of these severe injuries, so they can seek medical help and the appropriate treatment right away.
What Are the Most Common Causes of Traumatic Brain Injuries?
Traumatic brain injuries can be caused by an intentional or inadvertent jolt to the head that results in damage to the brain. Unfortunately, that damage is not always obvious, which can lead to injury victims foregoing medical care simply because they cannot “see” the injury.
The most common causes of traumatic brain injuries include:
- Falls
- Motor vehicle collisions
- Struck by or against an object
- Sports
- Explosions
- Violence
If you or someone you love has hit their head during any of these events, seek medical care right away to ensure any potential injuries are identified as early as possible.
What Are the Signs & Symptoms of Traumatic Brain Injuries?
It is important to know the signs and symptoms of a traumatic brain injury so you can pursue the best care possible for these severe and potentially life-threatening injuries.
According to the Mayo Clinic, the most common signs and symptoms of a traumatic brain injury include physical, cognitive, emotional, and behavioral complications.
Physical TBI signs and symptoms can include:
- Blurred vision
- Difficulty sleeping or sleeping more than usual
- Dizziness or loss of balance
- Fatigue or drowsiness
- Feelings of being dazed, confused, or disoriented
- Headaches
- Loss of consciousness
- Nausea or vomiting
- Problems with speech
- Ringing in the ears
- Seizures
- Sensitivity to light or sound
- Sensory symptoms, including changes in the ability to smell or taste
- Skull fractures
Cognitive TBI signs and symptoms can include:
- Complications with understanding others
- Difficulty in expressing thoughts
- Impaired decision-making ability
- Memory loss
- Shortened attention span
- Trouble processing information
Emotional and behavioral TBI signs and symptoms can include:
- Depression or anxiety
- Impulsive behavior
- Lack of empathy
- Lack of motivation or initiative
- Mood changes or mood swings
- Negativity
- Physical outbursts
- Poor judgment
- Rigidity and inflexibility
- Risky behavior
- Verbal outbursts
The danger behind traumatic brain injuries is their symptoms can occur suddenly — typically when someone is left unconscious after a blow to the head — or may take hours, days, or even weeks to reveal the extent of the damage.
TBI victims, their loved ones, and even doctors can easily overlook the signs and symptoms of the damage these injuries cause until they become dangerously debilitating and lead to serious complications that can become life-changing.
If you have hit your head during a collision, you must find a team of doctors who specialize in brain injuries to ensure you get proper testing and treatment for your injuries.
How Many Traumatic Brain Injuries Occur Each Year?
According to the Centers for Disease Control, someone in the United States suffers a TBI every 23 seconds.
Those cases lead to nearly 300,000 hospitalizations, 50,000 deaths, and over 90,000 long-term disabilities each year.
If a negligent party caused your injuries, no matter how they were sustained, contact our San Fernando Valley & Encino Personal injury attorneys at the Binder Law Group today by calling (818) 659-8588 to schedule a free consultation, so you do not have to face a difficult recovery without pursuing the financial recovery you deserve.
