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traumatic brain injury can range from mild to severe, depending on several factors. An individual
suffering from a mild traumatic brain injury will typically have normal
MRI and CAT scans, though he or she might have cognitive problems such
as difficulty thinking, trouble with memory, attention deficit, and mood
swings. Despite the term “mild,” however, the effect of traumatic
brain injuries, even mild ones, can be devastating.
About Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
A traumatic brain injury can be sustained in a number of ways, though falls are generally the leading cause of this in individuals of all ages, particularly those over the age of 75.
Traumatic brain injuries are classified in 3 ways – mild, moderate, or severe. Doctors base classifications on length of unconsciousness, inability to recall the event, confusion, difficulty learning or remember new information, difficulty speaking in coherent sentences, unsteadiness, lack of coordination, and vision or hearing problems.
Some of the most common causes of traumatic brain injury include:
- Car accidents
- Truck accidents
- Medical malpractice
- Defective products
- Slip and fall accident
- Bicycle accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
Symptoms of TBI's
Common symptoms of a traumatic brain injury include:
- Unconsciousness
- Inability to remember the cause of the injury or recall what happened immediately before or up to 24 hours after the incident
- Inability to retain new information
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Vision problems
- Nausea or vomiting
- Changes in mood
- Difficulty sleeping
These symptoms can either be mild or severe, depending on the brain injury. Here is a breakdown of mild, moderate, and severe brain injury symptoms:
Mild Traumatic Brain Injury:
This is also referred to as a concussion. A person who sustains a concussion might not lose consciousness or, if he or she does, it will last for 30 minutes or less. Symptoms often do not appear in the immediate aftermath of the accident and, once they do surface, usually clear up in a matter of hours, days, or weeks. It is possible for them to last months, or even longer.
Moderate Traumatic Brain Injury:
Unconsciousness will last longer than 30 minutes. Symptoms of a moderate traumatic brain injury are much like those of a mild one, though more severe and long-lasting.
Severe Traumatic Brain Injury:
A person who sustains a severe traumatic brain injury will experience unconsciousness for longer than 24 hours. Given the seriousness of this injury, symptoms will be long-lasting and may even result in some long term damage to the brain.
Connection Between Dementia and Traumatic Brain Injuries
A substantial amount of research has been done throughout the years, which have indicated a link between dementia, such as Alzheimer’s disease, and moderate or severe traumatic brain injuries. For those who experience repeated traumatic brain injuries, which is often common for athletes or combat veterans, the risk is even higher. Many of these individuals eventually develop a brain condition known as chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), which causes aggression, depression, difficulty thinking, and lapses in memory. Unfortunately, in cases of CTE, a definitive diagnosis cannot be made until after a patient dies, and a thorough autopsy is performed.
Treatment
Serious traumatic brain injuries typically require specialized hospital care, often requiring months of rehabilitation. Less severe cases can be managed with either a brief hospital stay, or at-home monitoring and outpatient rehabilitation.
Trusted Representation for Victims of Brain Injuries
At Kempton & Russell, our Sedalia brain injury attorneys have been handling complex, challenging claims involving brain injuries for over 60 years. Our lawyers are prepared to effectively settle these claims, but we are also prepared to take any case to trial if that is what it takes to achieve the best possible outcome. Our goal is to maximize compensation for our clients, so they can be relieved of any financial burdens associated with this serious injury.
Call us today at (660) 722-4115 for a free initial consultation.