Our attorneys have been assisting the Orange County and Southern California communities for over 40 years.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major cause of death and disability across the country. These injuries occur in a variety of ways, and they can leave victims and families with immense pain and suffering. A traumatic brain injury is generally the result of a sudden blow or bump to the head that disrupts normal brain functioning. TBIs can range in severity from mild to severe, and the effects of these injuries can be either short- or long-term. In some cases, a TBI victim is left with lifelong disabilities.
A mild traumatic brain injury is referred to as a concussion. These injuries are incredibly common, particularly amongs those who play sports. In general, a concussion involves a change in a person’s mental status or a loss of consciousness that lasts for less than 30 minutes. Concussions generally reveal no obvious damage on a CAT scan or an MRI. However, concussion victims can still experience a range of symptoms, including the following:
Most concussion victims will not experience all of these symptoms at one time, and these symptoms may not appear until days after the injury occurs. It is important for anybody who receives a sharp blow or bump to the head to seek medical assistance in order to determine whether they have sustained a concussion.
Moderate traumatic brain injuries typically involve many of the same symptoms described above, though they will not go away as quickly, and they could worsen over time. Severe traumatic brain injuries generally involve the loss of consciousness for six or more hours. The impact of a severe TBI will depend on the severity of the initial injury and how quickly a person receives adequate medical care. A severe TBI often results in permanent loss or a lessening of cognitive or sensory functions for victims. This can include a person’s:
Unfortunately, severe traumatic brain injuries can also result in significant emotional and psychological changes for the victim. This can include the following:
Finally, a severe traumatic brain injury can result in significant physical changes for victims. This can include, but is not limited to, the following:
The treatment for a traumatic brain injury will vary depending on the circumstances surrounding each particular situation. Some people are able to make significant recoveries after undergoing rehabilitation and physical therapy. However, some traumatic brain injury victims may require lifelong medical care as a result of their injury and subsequent disabilities.
If you or a loved one have suffered a brain injury as a result of someone else’s negligence, contact an Orange County personal injury lawyer for legal assistance.