What You Need to Know About Traumatic Brain Injuries
Head injuries can be among the most dangerous injuries a person can experience. Even though humans have strong skulls to provide protection, hundreds of thousands of people are hospitalized due to traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) each year, and tens of thousands die from them. If you or a loved one has experienced any type of head injury, you need to be aware of what a traumatic brain injury is, how it can affect a person, and what you need to do to care for them.
What Are Traumatic Brain Injuries?
To put it simply, a TBI is any injury that causes the disruption of the normal functioning of the brain. They are typically caused by a blow to the head or a penetrating wound to the head. The severity of a traumatic brain injury can range significantly starting from a common concussion, which is considered a mild TBI, all the way up to an injury that damages the brain to the point where it can’t properly function and the individual dies.
What are the Symptoms of a TBI?
The symptoms will vary based on the severity of the injury as well as the person. The specific part of the brain that was injured can also have an impact on the symptoms. The most common symptoms can include headaches, vomiting, sensitivity to lights, leaking of cerebrospinal fluid from the ears or nose, bleeding from the ears, paralysis, numbness of the body, loss of consciousness, slowness of thinking, mood changes, loss of smell, and difficulty swallowing. If someone experiences any of these symptoms after taking a hit to the head, they should immediately be transported to the hospital for an evaluation.
One important thing to take note of about the symptoms of a TBI is that they won’t always present themselves at the time the injury takes place. The brain can take hours, days, or even weeks before all symptoms are noticed. This is why it is a good idea to have doctors check it out anytime there is a hard blow to the head, and to continue watching for symptoms long after the injury took place.
Common Causes of Traumatic Brain Injuries
There are many causes of traumatic brain injuries. The most common examples will vary based on age and other factors. For young children and those over the age of 65, for example, falling down is a very common cause. Vehicle accidents are a common cause for TBIs in people of all ages. Sports-related injuries can cause TBIs, and this most commonly occurs to those in their teens and twenties. Infants are susceptible to traumatic brain injuries if they are shaken roughly. Knowing what to watch for in people of all ages can help you identify when someone is at risk of this type of injury so they can get the medical attention they need.
If you or a loved one suffered a TBI, especially because of another party’s negligence with on the road, at a store, or on the street, contact the attorneys at Abdallah Law today to let us get you the compensation you deserve.