Few injuries are as unfortunate and devastating as an injury to one's brain—a traumatic brain injury (TBI). TBI can be the result of any mechanism of injury including car accidents, truck accidents, slip and fall injuries, or any other time where the injured person strikes their head on something. TBI symptoms can be classified as mild, moderate, or severe. A mild TBI often results in a brief change in mental status (i.e. concussion). Moderate and severe TBI cases more frequently see unconsciousness, ataxia, coma, and even death. According to various sources, approximately 1.7 million TBI cases occur every year the U.S. and there are approximately 5.3 million people living with a disability caused by a TBI. *Sources:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): Incidence and Distribution, 2004; Traumatic Brain Injury Model System, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Introduction to Brain Injury – Facts and Statistics, February, 2000.

 

Symptoms of Brain Injury

​

TBI symptoms include but are not limited to:

• Extreme Vomiting

• Unexpected or Unusual Lethargy

• Extended Headache

• Confusion or Mental Status Change

• Paralysis

• Coma

• Loss of consciousness

• Pupil Dilation

• Vision changes (blurred vision or diplopia, not able to tolerate bright light, loss of eye movement, blindness)

• Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) (which may be clear or blood-tinged) coming out of the ears or nose

• Dizziness or problems with maintaining balance

• Difficulty problems

• Bradycardia

• Bradypnea with increased blood pressure

• Auditory changes or ringing in ears

• Memory or Cognitive Processing issues

• Inappropriate or socially unacceptable behavior or emotional responses

• Difficulty speaking

• Trouble with swallowing

• Neurological Deficits including numbness or tingling

• Eyelid droop or facial weakness

• Loss of bowel function or control

 

Closed Head Injury

​

The typical injury to the brain occurs when the brain, which is normally suspended inside the skull in liquid, impacts the inside of the skull resulting in bleeding or swelling to the tissue of the brain. This is called a closed head injury. Bleeding or swelling of the brain because of a traumatic brain injury should be treated by a neurosurgeon through various techniques to relieve the excess pressure inside the skull. Failure to relieve intracranial pressure results in permanent and irreversible brain damage and can lead to death.

 

Penetrating Head Wounds

​

A penetrating brain injury, on the other hand, occurs when an object protrudes through the skull and damages the tissue of the brain. Both a closed head injury and a penetrating head wound are serious medical conditions and require immediate medical treatment.

 

Many TBI patients are taken directly from the emergency room to surgery when they have a moderate or severe head injury. Mild TBI patients on the other hand typically get a head CT and are discharged from the emergency room with instructions to obtain follow up care or to return upon a worsening of symptoms.

 

If you or a loved one has suffered a traumatic brain injury, please contact a Lakeland Traumatic Brain Injury lawyer for professional legal advice on your case. A consultation with a Lakeland Traumatic Brain Injury attorney is free.