According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a traumatic brain injury is one that involves a disruption in the normal brain function which can be caused by a blow, jolt, or bump to the head. This can also be caused by a penetrating head injury. Anyone can be at risk for suffering a traumatic brain injury, and children and older adults are particularly susceptible to this type of injury.
California traumatic brain injury attorney Johann Hall has successfully handled many personal injury cases involving traumatic brain injuries. If you or a loved one has suffered a traumatic brain injury due to the fault of someone else, contact our office today for a consultation. You may be entitled to compensation for the injuries you suffered due to the negligent actions or omissions of the other party.
Traumatic Brain Injury Statistics
The CDC has determined that in 2014, there were about 2.87 million traumatic brain injury emergency room visits, hospitalizations, or deaths. Of this figure, approximately 56,800 of these included traumatic brain injury-related deaths. These 2014 statistics represent an increase of about 53% of these numbers in 2006. It is also important to note that motor vehicle accidents and unintentional falls were the most common mechanisms of injury that led to a diagnosis of traumatic brain injury requiring hospitalization of the patient.
Signs and Symptoms of a Traumatic Brain Injury
Traumatic brain injuries can range from minor to very severe. Mild brain injuries may temporarily affect your brain cells, while more serious traumatic brain injuries could cause bruising, bleeding, torn tissue, or other forms of physical damage to the brain. Traumatic brain injuries may cause long-term complications or even death in some cases.
The symptoms associated with a traumatic brain injury can vary widely. Additionally, some of the signs or symptoms may occur right away after the traumatic event, while other symptoms may have more of a delayed onset, occurring days or even a week later.
There are certain signs and symptoms you can look for that may indicate a traumatic brain injury has occurred after a head injury. Some common symptoms that are associated with mild traumatic brain injury include headaches, memory loss, dizziness, sleep disturbances, nausea, sensitivity to light and sound, and mood changes. The symptoms that may be signs of a moderate to severe traumatic brain injury include loss of consciousness, repeated vomiting or nausea, convulsions or seizures, weakness or numbness in fingers or toes, loss of coordination, profound confusion, slurred speech, and coma.
Causes of Traumatic Brain Injuries
Falls or motor vehicle accidents cause the majority of traumatic brain injuries. Traumatic brain injuries that are caused by motor vehicle accidents include collisions involving cars, motorcycles, bicycles, and car accidents involving pedestrians. Victims on motorcycles, bicycles, or on foot who are in collisions with cars are the most susceptible to traumatic brain injuries due to the lack of protection for their head as compared to someone in a car.
Traumatic brain injuries can also be caused by violent actions, including gunshot wounds to the head. They also can occur in instances of domestic violence and child abuse. These injuries may also occur due to sport-related injuries. Hockey, football, lacrosse, and boxing are all high-impact sports that may cause traumatic brain injuries.
Complications Associated with Traumatic Brain Injuries
While some traumatic brain injuries are mild and may heal relatively quickly without medical intervention (such as a mild concussion), some traumatic brain injuries are more serious and end up resulting in serious complications. These complications may include the following:
- Vegetative State—Damage that spreads throughout the brain can cause the victim to fall into a vegetative state. Someone in this state is unaware of their surroundings, though they may be able to open their eyes, respond to reflexes, or make sounds.
- Infections—When the victim suffers a skull fracture or a wound that penetrates the skull, layers of protective tissue (called meninges) around the brain can tear. This can allow bacteria to move into the brain and cause infections. A meningitis infection could spread throughout the rest of the nervous system if it is not treated promptly.
- Brain Death—Brain death occurs when there is no measurable activity in a person’s brain and brain stem. When someone has been declared brain dead, it is considered irreversible and removing their breathing devices will lead to the cessation of breathing and heart failure.
If you or a loved one has suffered a traumatic brain injury due to someone else’s negligence, contact traumatic brain injury attorney Johann Hall today at (707) 360-8717 or fill out our online contact form. We can help you fight for the compensation you deserve.