A traumatic brain injury (TBI) occurs when significant damage is inflicted on the brain. This can come from a severe blow or an object that penetrates the skull. TBI can also be the result of an explosion, or from anything that incites swelling or bleeding in and around the brain. Symptoms of a traumatic brain injury are widespread and vary slightly from mild cases to more severe ones.
Traumatic Brain Injuries can change your life. If you or a loved one are suffering from one of these devastating injuries, call a Houston traumatic brain injury lawyer from The Krist Law Firm, P.C. today at (281) 283-8500 for a free case consultation.
Symptoms of Mild and Severe Traumatic Brain Injuries
Some symptoms of TBI may appear immediately, but other symptoms can develop after a few days. A person with mild TBI may suffer from:
- Dizziness
- Headaches
- Fatigue
- A change in normal sleep habits
- A shift in mood
- Difficulty concentrating
- Blurred vision
- Sensitivity to light
- Vomiting or nausea
A more severe case of TBI might make a person:
- Vomit repeatedly
- Slur their speech
- Convulse or have seizures
- Feel a numbness or tingling in their hands and feet
- Have difficulty waking up
- Suffer from headaches that are increasingly more painful or constantly recurring
- Lose consciousness for an extended period of time
Methods for Categorizing TBIs
Doctors can use a couple of different methods to determine the severity of a traumatic brain injury. One such test is the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS). This is used to label the severity of a TBI and monitor symptoms to detect if a change in treatment is needed. According to the GCS:
- A score of 3-8 indicates a severe TBI
- A score of 9-12 indicates a moderate TBI
- A score of 13-15 indicates a mild TBI
What Causes TBI?
Because many symptoms of TBI mirror those of a migraine, it’s important to find out if a person experienced a traumatic event prior to developing symptoms to narrow down their possible diagnosis. A TBI is often a result of one of the following occurrences:
- A fall. Falling down stairs, in the tub, or out of bed are some coming causes of traumatic brain injuries for elderly patients and young children.
- A car accident. People often hit their heads upon impact with another car.
- A sports-related injury. We hear a lot about football players suffering from TBIs, but soccer, lacrosse, boxing, baseball, hockey, and other sports can cause players to develop head and brain injuries.
- A widespread, damaging explosion. This type of TBI is prevalent among active duty military personnel, who often find explosive devices in the battlefield.
- A fight or some other violent episode. Gunshot wounds or shaken baby syndrome, can result in TBIs.
- A workplace accident. Employees in construction and factory jobs might see the most head injuries, but anyone can suffer from a work-related TBI.
How a Houston TBI Lawyer Can Help
Traumatic brain injuries can profoundly affect your cognitive, motor, and learning skills. Severe cases can leave people in vegetative states. If you or a loved one suffered from a traumatic brain injury, your medical bills could be piling up. If you need help with your case, you should contact a traumatic brain injury attorney right away. The Krist Law Firm, P.C. has extensive experience in legal matters related to TBI. We can go over your case and discuss your best options.
Call us today at (281) 283-8500, or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.