Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)—being brain injuries—are exceedingly complicated. Your brain houses everything that makes you uniquely you, and as such, even a seemingly minor injury can have significant consequences. In fact, TBIs are known as silent injuries because they’re often invisible to outside observers—yet they can have life-altering consequences and can be extremely difficult to overcome. If you’ve been in a car accident, a slip and fall accident, or any accident in which your head sustained significant jostling or impact, you need medical attention. Importantly, in these cases, early medical intervention can have a significant impact on your outcome, so it is best to get checked out as soon as possible, even if you suspect your injuries are not particularly serious.
Traumatic Brain Injuries: Cause and Effect
Traumatic brain injuries are usually caused by a blow to the head or by the whipping back of forth of the head on the neck. The Mayo Clinic identifies falls, car crashes, and school sports as common causes of TBIs. If you believe someone else’s negligence has caused you to sustain a TBI, you need medical attention and experienced legal counsel.
The Signs of a TBI
Traumatic brain injuries are unpredictable. Because they affect the brain, they can lead to serious cognitive, sensory, psychological, behavioral, and physical consequences that are nothing if not difficult to cope with. There are, however, several symptoms that are closely related to TBIs:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Confusion
- Persistent headaches
- The sudden onset of sleep disturbances, overwhelming fatigue, speech difficulties, incoordination, and/or numbness or weakness
- A sudden change in mood, affect, or personality
The Stats
Traumatic brain injuries can vary from mild to life-threatening, but every potential TBI should be afforded immediate medical attention. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports several important TBI statistics that highlight the necessitation of medical treatment:
- Nearly 30 percent of injury-related fatalities in the U.S. involve TBIs.
- About 1.7 million Americans suffer from TBIs each year, and approximately 52,000 of these sufferers die each year.
- About 275,000 Americans are hospitalized each year for TBIs.
- Those most likely to suffer from TBIs are between the ages of 15 and 19 and over the age of 65.
- Males are far more likely to suffer TBIs than are females.
Far-Reaching Consequences
Because a TBI affects your brain, the consequences are typically far reaching. Not only do TBIs result in significant medical expenses and physical damages but they’re also closely associated with serious psychological trauma. Victims of TBIs often describe them as altering their very sense of self, which is naturally a devastating loss. In fact, the damaging effects of a TBI are difficult to overstate.
If You Suffered a TBI, You Need an Experienced Indianapolis Personal Injury Attorney
If someone else’s negligence has left you with a traumatic brain injury, you need experienced legal counsel. TBIs are complex injuries that necessitate immediate medical attention and often require ongoing care. The dedicated legal team at the Law Office of Hurst Limontes LLC has the experience, skill, and compassion to help guide your personal injury claim toward just compensation. We’re here to help, so please contact or call us at (317) 636-0808 to schedule a free consultation today.