A Traumatic Brain Injury – also known as a TBI – is the result of a serious blow or jolt to the head. They are common injuries in car accidents where the victim has been struck by an object or perhaps been forcefully thrown into a window, console, or steering wheel. TBIs can also be the result of an assault or gunshot wound to the head.
Some common symptoms of TBI are:
- Poor concentration
- Confusion
- Loss of consciousness
- Lack of awareness
- Difficulty processing information
- Forgetfulness
- Disorganized or slowed speech
- Dizziness and/or losing balance
- Change in sleep patterns
- Blurred vision
If you experience any of these symptoms following a head injury after a car accident or other traumatic event, seek immediate medical treatment. And then contact a Maryland TBI lawyer to learn your rights and chances for a reasonable settlement.
Unfortunately, there are several myths surrounding TBI that lead people to neglect seeking proper treatment and put off legal action.
Myth #1: Concussions are “Mild TBIs”
Fact: Concussions are anything but mild. You may even hear a concussion referred to as “mild” in a medical setting,” but that term can be misleading. The truth is, concussions are serious and warrant immediate medical treatment. While many people make a full recovery from a concussion after several months, there can often be long-term negative impacts. Because the damage is not always obvious, some people might dismiss the symptoms as minor. However, if you have suffered any form of head injury (even just a bump), seek medical treatment immediately.
Myth #2: A TBI Means Losing Consciousness
Fact: You do not have to lose consciousness to have a TBI. Not everyone experiences the same injury in the same way. It is possible to experience even a severe TBI without having lost consciousness during a traumatic event. If you have experienced a severe car accident or other event where you experienced a blow to the head, you are at risk for a traumatic brain injury.
Myth #3: Children Recover from TBI Faster Than Adults
Fact: Children are just as much at risk for permanent effects from a TBI as adults. In fact, because a child’s brain is not fully developed, it can take years to fully understand the impact the injury has had on the child’s ability to function. Complications could arise years later that are a result of the injury. This is why immediate medical treatment and legal assistance are so crucial.
Myth #4: If The Doctor Doesn’t Diagnose A Concussion, You Don’t Have One
It may seem hard to believe, but all too often, a physician doesn’t diagnose a concussion and/or the patient doesn’t recall losing consciousness. A concussion is one of the most overlooked or missed diagnoses in an Emergency Care Facility if the injured person does not complain of a head injury and/or severe headaches.
If the patient is aware of his or her location, the day of the week or calendar date, and the name of the President of the U.S., in most cases, no further neurological test will be done. The ER physician will not likely seek to discover whether or not there is “retrograde amnesia,” which is a positive sign for a concussion –usually presented by an inability to recount details of the aftermath of a collision.
Many nurses and physicians will miss a concussion unless the patient describes his or her head striking something in the vehicle. However, what too many medical professionals miss is that the neurological injury of a concussion can be caused by a sudden jerk of the head, without hitting anything.
Maryland TBI Lawyer
If you, your spouse, or your child or someone you know has been the victim of an accident that resulted in Traumatic Brain Injury, contact our experienced team at The Lapidus Law Firm today at 301-852-7500 to schedule your free, no obligation consultation. We will work tenaciously to give you the best chance at receiving a fair, reasonable settlement.