Signs & Symptoms of a Traumatic Brain Injury
Data from the CDC show how devastating common traumatic brain injuries are in the United States. In fact, there were about 61,000 TBI-related deaths in 2019, while another report documents that about 224,000 people were hospitalized with TBI-related injuries in 2017. These injuries can have devastating effects, from permanent memory damage and personality changes to loss of bodily functions and cognitive impairment.
If you’ve suffered a traumatic brain injury that was not your fault, a knowledgeable traumatic brain injury lawyer can help you claim compensation from the party or parties that hurt you. You could be owed money for your medical bills, lost income, and ongoing care as you work to recover from your injury. To learn more about how a Richmond personal injury attorney can help you with your case, contact The Johnson Injury Firm for a free initial consultation.
TBI Signs and Symptoms
According to the Mayo Clinic, some of the most common signs and symptoms of a traumatic brain injury include:
Mild traumatic brain injury:
- Headaches
- Vomiting or nausea
- Drowsiness or fatigue
- Difficulty speaking
- Dizziness or loss of balance
- Sensitivity to light or sound
- Other sensory issues (ringing ears, blurred vision, bad tastes, lost or altered smell)
- Losing consciousness for a few seconds to a few minutes
- Insomnia
- Difficulty concentrating
- Mood swings or changes (depression, anxiety, etc.)
Moderate to severe traumatic brain injury-
- Losing consciousness from several minutes to a few hours
- Persistent headaches or a headache that severely worsens
- Persistent nausea or repeated vomiting
- Seizures or convulsions
- Pupil dilation in one or both eyes
- Clear fluid draining from the ears or nose
- Inability to awaken
- Numbness or weakness in fingers or toes
- Loss of coordination
- Profound confusion
- Slurred speech
- Agitation, restlessness, aggression, or other unusual behavior
- Coma
Causes of TBIs
Any hard blow to the head can lead to a traumatic brain injury, but some of the more common causes of these injuries are:
- Falls – Losing your balance and falling to the ground can easily cause a head injury. You might fall backward and hit the back of your head or slip and fall forward and strike the front or side of your head. Many slip-and-falls that lead to a TBI are caused by negligent property owners who allow hazards, such as poorly maintained sidewalks, slippery parking lots, spilled liquids, and so on.
- Motor-vehicle collisions – Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, bicycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, and other crashes often result in traumatic brain injuries. A driver or passenger can hit their head on the steering wheel, steering column, a window, or the vehicle’s interior, depending on the angle and force of the crash. If a driver or passenger is ejected from the vehicle or a bicyclist or pedestrian is struck at high speeds, they might sustain a traumatic brain injury when they land and hit their head.
- Physical assaults – Physical violence is another common cause of traumatic brain injuries. Even if the victim doesn’t sustain a direct blow to the head, they might be knocked to the ground during an altercation and hit their head, leading to a traumatic brain injury.
Compensation for a TBI
Treatment for a TBI can be expensive, and some TBI victims require specialized care for the rest of their lives. That’s why it’s so important to demand compensation from whoever is responsible for your injuries. By filing an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit, you can recover compensation for:
- Your medical bills, including the cost of related future care
- Your lost income
- Your reduced earning capacity
- Your damaged personal property
- Your pain and suffering, including the mental anguish related to your injuries
Contact a TBI Lawyer
The Virginia traumatic brain injury lawyers at The Johnson Injury Firm have more than 125 years of combined legal experience handling personal injury cases. We have the knowledge and conviction to help you seek full and fair compensation for your injuries. Get a free initial consultation with one of our attorneys by calling our Richmond office or visiting our contact page.
