A traumatic brain injury (TBI) takes place when a fall or blow to the head disrupts healthy brain function. Although most TBIs are concussions or other forms of mild traumatic brain injury, some TBIs are severe and life-threatening injuries, resulting in long-term effects on a person’s health and wellbeing.
Moderate as well as severe head injuries can negatively impact long-term quality of life, taking a toll on one’s financial well-being while undergoing the physical stress of the injury at the same time. In addition, psychological and emotional stress are associated with the trauma of the event, as well as the stress of the rehabilitation and recovery process.
Obtaining knowledgeable and customized legal services is critical for securing adequate financial resources during treatment and recovery from a TBI.
Who is at Risk for Head Injury?
Most emergency room visits as well as hospitalizations for brain injuries occur in older adults from falls. At any age, brain injury from a fall can occur in the workplace as well as commercial and corporate settings when there is negligence for safety concerns.
Among infants, children, and teens, brain injuries from falls accounts for nearly half of all ER visits in this age group. Head injuries can also occur during sports contact, during an act of violence, and in military combat settings. Traumatic brain injuries sustained in motor vehicle accidents account for 20% of all TBI-hospitalizations.
Symptoms of Brain Injury
Symptoms of a head injury range from mild to severe and may be felt immediately after the injury, while other symptoms can appear days or months following the injury. Head injury symptoms typically fall into these four categories:
- Difficulties with concentration and remembering new information
- Physical health problems, including headache, blurry vision, sensitivity to noise or light, balance difficulties, nausea and vomiting (soon after the brain injury), and fatigue
- Changes in sleep patterns: difficulty falling asleep, and/or sleeping more or less than usual
- Changes in mood and emotions: anxiety, nervousness, and irritability are common after many head injuries, as well as sadness.
The above symptoms often result in an overall feeling of being slowed down by the head injury.
When to Seek Immediate Health Care for a Brain Injury
Although most head injuries are mild, such as a concussion, other head injuries require immediate attention. Go to the nearest emergency department if you or a loved one experience any of the following:
- Ongoing nausea or vomiting
- Slurring speech
- A headache that worsens
- Weakness, numbness, or a decrease in balance and coordination
- Difficulty recognizing familiar faces and places
- Loss of consciousness
- Seizures (convulsions)
- Looking very drowsy, or difficulty waking
- One pupil (the black center of the eye) is larger than the other
- Out-of-the-ordinary behavior
- Loss of consciousness
Head Injury Lawyer
A traumatic brain injury can result in the need for rehabilitation health care to relearn physical function and daily tasks, while addressing balance, coordination, and stability. If the person’s brain injury limits the return to pre-injury activities, physical therapy helps patients improve their mobility with assistive devices such as an ankle brace, cane, walker, or a wheelchair.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident or a fall resulting from another person’s negligence, call The Lapidus Law Firm as soon as possible. The services of our skilled and knowledgeable team of lawyers reflect our forty years of experience. As you focus on your health and healing, we will work tirelessly on your behalf as we contact insurance companies, serving as your advocate to ensure a fair and reasonable settlement to address your medical expenses, lost income, property damage, and much more.
A free, no-obligation consultation is available for you to learn more about your rights and how the legal process takes place. To schedule a consultation, call our D.C. office today at 301-852-7500 or our Maryland office at 301-852-7500.