A traumatic brain injury (TBI) can permanently affect a victim’s life. Depending on the nature of the accident and the severity of the injury, a TBI may be mild, moderate, or severe.
The classification of a TBI determines a patient’s symptoms and recovery prognosis. We discuss the common causes, treatments, and legal actions for TBIs below.
What is a Traumatic Brain Injury?
TBIs may occur in any situation in which the head experiences blunt force trauma. When the head experiences sudden acceleration or deceleration, such as in a car accident, the head moves one way or another while the brain stays in place. When the brain eventually does catch up to this sudden movement, it may bounce against the inside of the skull, resulting in bruising, bleeding, and an injury.
Common situations where this happens include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Sports accidents
- Assaults
TBIs may also result from severe infections or oxygen deprivation. The brain, as the most vital system in the body, requires a constant supply of oxygen. When the brain experiences hypoxia (a lack of oxygen to the brain) or anoxia (no oxygen to the brain), the cells in the brain begin to die, and normal brain functions start to cease. This can result in permanent brain damage or the death of the victim.
Common situations where such oxygen deprivation may occur include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Carbon monoxide poisoning
- Choking or suffocation
- Strangulation
- Drowning
Additionally, there is a risk of surgical procedures causing TBIs due to the sensitive nature of the central nervous system. Brain tissue is at risk of injury during these procedures from incisions, direct trauma, hemorrhage, and more.
Traumatic Brain Injury Symptoms
Traumatic brain injuries have three main classifications: mild, moderate, and severe. Generally, the more severe the accident and injury, the higher the classification of TBI.
To diagnose the classification of TBI, a medical professional will observe the patient’s symptoms and may conduct the following tests:
- Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS): The GCS measures a patient’s functioning in their ability to speak, their ability to open their eyes, and their ability to move. The medical professional will then rate the patient’s responses in these categories and will give them a numerical rating. A score of 13 or higher indicates a mild TBI, 9 through 12 indicates moderate, and 8 or below indicates severe.
- Speech and Language Tests: A pathologist may complete a formal evaluation of a patient’s social communication skills, their ability to swallow, and their ability to control speech.
- Imaging Tests: Medical professionals may use several imaging tests to determine the classification of a TBI, including CT scans, MRI scans, and more.
Mild Traumatic Brain Injuries
TBIs can be categorized as mild, moderate, or severe. A TBI is generally considered mild when the victim experiences the following:
- A loss of consciousness for a few seconds to a few minutes
- Headache
- Nausea or vomiting
- Fatigue or drowsiness
- Difficulty sleeping
- Dizziness or loss of balance
Most of the time, medical professionals will recommend that mild TBI victims get adequate rest and do not return to physical activity for a few weeks. After this time, most mild TBIs will resolve, and the victim will not experience any more symptoms.
It’s important to keep in mind, however, that TBIs involve the most complex system in the human body. As such, it’s impossible to entirely predict what a TBI victim will experience, and some mild TBI victims continue to experience symptoms for decades.
Moderate to Severe Traumatic Brain Injuries
A TBI is generally considered moderate to severe when the victim experiences the following:
- A loss of consciousness for several minutes to hours
- Persistent headaches
- Repeated nausea and vomiting
- Convulsions or seizures
- An inability to awaken from sleep
- Weakness or numbness in fingers and toes
The treatment options for moderate to severe TBI are more complicated. It is rare for moderate to severe TBI victims to recover from their injuries completely. Various treatments can, however, significantly improve victims’ prognoses.
Complications Related to Traumatic Brain Injuries
TBIs have a host of complications that can affect the victim. More severe TBIs increase the risk of these states of altered consciousness. These states may include:
- Coma: Comas occur after widespread damage to the brain. After a few days or weeks, the victim may awaken from the coma or enter into a vegetative state.
- Vegetative State: A person in a vegetative state may be able to open their eyes, make sounds, and respond to reflexes, but they remain unaware of their surroundings.
- Brain Death: Brain death occurs when there is no measurable activity in the brain and brainstem. At this point, the removal of breathing devices will result in cessation of breathing and heart failure.
Can You Recover from A Traumatic Brain Injury?
The recovery prognosis for a TBI varies greatly from victim to victim. Several factors influence a patient’s recovery, including the following:
- The severity of the injury
- The victim’s access to high-quality medical care
- The victim’s support system, including family and friends
- The victim’s attitude toward their recovery
The most critical factor is a victim’s access to high-quality medical care. This care, however, can cost victims and their families hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Since many TBIs result from accidents caused by negligence, it’s not right for TBI victims and their families to have to foot the bill for these sudden expenses when a negligent party is responsible.
Recovering Damages for a Traumatic Brain Injury
TBI victims can expect to face monumental costs in medical bills, lost wages, and more after their accident.
If you or a loved one is in this situation, it’s in your best interest to contact an experienced personal injury attorney who can help you recover compensation for damages such as:
- Past and future medical and hospital expenses
- Past and future lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Suffered a Traumatic Brain Injury? We’re Here to Help.
If you or someone you love has experienced a TBI due to another’s recklessness, our experienced brain injury lawyers are here to help.
At DM Injury Law, we’re passionate about helping TBI victims and their families recover the compensation they deserve after a devastating accident. We understand the sensitive nature of TBIs and that these injuries can manifest differently in different people. Therefore, we know it is important to consider the ways that any person can be affected and recover the compensation these individuals require to take care of their needs for years to come.
Our attorneys operate on a contingency fee basis, which means there is no downside to pursuing a TBI claim with us. We do not collect any fee unless we secure a settlement or verdict for you, so you can rest assured knowing that our team will do everything we can to help you recover the maximum possible compensation.
Contact DM Injury Law today to schedule a free consultation with our team. Our firm has multiple office locations to best serve you.