According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), 30% of all trauma deaths include traumatic brain injury (TBI) as at least a contributing cause. This means that TBI is involved in some way in nearly a third of all people who die from a traumatic injury. This remarkable fact is just the beginning, however. The CDC also reports that TBIs resulted in as many as 2.8 million people going to emergency rooms in 2013 alone.
What Exactly is a TBI?
A TBI or “traumatic brain injury” is exactly what it sounds like – an injury to the brain. It occurs when some external force (like a steering wheel or other blunt object) strikes the skull. The brain moves within the skull and results in physical damage. While this is a simplistic explanation, it is important to remember that the brain is still just an organ like any other, and it is sensitive to traumatic impact.
What are the Symptoms of TBI?
TBI can create a host of subtle or minor symptoms. The subtler symptoms tend to be:
- Brief loss of consciousness
- Confusion
- Headaches
- Fatigue
- Sleep problems
- Irritability
- Vertigo (dizziness)
- Sensory problems (vision, hearing, or taste changes)
More serious symptoms can include:
- Memory problems
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Mood problems
- Nausea
- Seizures
- Clear drainage from nose or ears
- Neuropathy (tingling in fingers, hands, toes)
- Aggressive behavior
- Speech problems
Can TBI be Treated?
Sometimes. Doctors have treatments that can reduce the impact of TBI, but it can be a permanent injury that requires long-term medication. Cognitive therapy may be required for some people with serious changes in mood and behavior. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has done great work investigating the impact of TBI on returning soldiers from combat, finding that even blasts and explosions can cause TBI.
If you are experiencing symptoms after a traumatic injury, whether a fall, car accident, or workplace injury, you should seek immediate medical attention. Make sure to tell your doctor about your injury, so he or she can order the appropriate tests to determine if you are suffering from TBI.
Call our Long Island Traumatic Head Injury Lawyers
This is a difficult question to answer, but in most cases, you can claim any injury you believe is related to the accident. It really all depends on the extent of the injury, your doctor’s reports, the facts of the accident, and your unique medical records. Of course, you must also prove that the accident directly caused the TBI. If there are other injuries or accidents that could have caused the TBI, this can be more difficult to prove.
Getting the right medical care from the start and working closely with a seasoned and knowledgeable legal team is the best way to ensure that you get a proper diagnosis and get compensated for the full value of your injuries. The Long Island personal injury attorneys of Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP have more than 100 years of combined experience fighting for injury victims. Contact us today for a risk-free, no obligation case review. With a “no fee promise,” you can rest assured that you have nothing to lose by calling. Call to schedule your free consultation today at (516) 358-6900.
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