Fighting for the Rights
of Injured Workers for
Over 35 Years.
of Injured Workers for
Over 35 Years.
Brain Injuries
Brain injuries are extremely harmful and are often overlooked because the consequences of the brain injuries are often invisible. Only one-sixth of people who suffer a brain injury are admitted to a hospital. When someone suffers a traumatic brain injury, it will affect their life, as well as the lives of their loved ones.
A traumatic brain injury is a penetrating head injury or blow or jolt to the head caused by an outside source that disrupts brain function. There are two types of traumatic brain injuries. An open head injury, also called a penetrating injury, occurs when a foreign object enters the brain and physically inflicts damage on certain parts of the brain. A closed head injury is damage that occurs as a result of a blow to the head.
The severity of traumatic brain injury can be relatively mild to severe. This can mean a change in consciousness lasting a short period of time, or an extended period of unconsciousness, amnesia, and other long-term problems with brain function. Leading causes of traumatic brain injury are falls, automobile accidents, blunt trauma by an item hitting the head, and assault. When a traumatic brain injury occurs, there are several causes that contribute to severity. For example, if a hard jolt causes the brain to move within the skull, there will be multiple points of damage. Also, if an object penetrates the skull there is a high likelihood of irreparable damage to blood vessels, blood cells, and protective tissues around the brain. Furthermore, ensuing damage may be caused by swelling, blood clots, and internal bleeding which disturbs the oxygen supply to the brain. Adults between the ages of 15 and 24, as well as adults age 75 and older are at the highest risk of suffering from a traumatic brain injury.
The symptoms of a mild traumatic brain injury include headache, nausea and vomiting, fatigue, difficulty sleeping or sleeping more than usual, confusion, blurred vision, ringing in the ears, sensitivity to light and sound, concentration issues, and mood swings. The symptoms of moderate to severe traumatic brain injuries are loss of consciousness for several minutes or hours, convulsions or seizures, persistent headaches, dilation of the pupils, numbness, loss of coordination, significant confusion, and slurred speech. Brain injuries are serious and life-altering; they can put a person in a coma, vegetative state, minimally conscious state, or cause brain death or locked-in syndrome. Locked-in syndrome occurs when a person is awake aware of his or her surroundings, but is not able to speak or move.
If you believe you have suffered from a traumatic brain injury, it is imperative that you seek medical help. If this injury happened at work, and has had serious consequences for you and your loved ones, please contact us today. Our firm understands the many aspects of workers compensation injuries. Our team of attorneys and paralegals are committed to achieving our clients’ goals and protecting their rights. We will work diligently to build a strong case on your behalf. Call today for a free initial consultation at (305)539-9000.
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