Traumatic Brain Injury Attorneys

A traumatic brain injury or TBI occurs when there is a traumatic event to the brain that causes brain damage. Traumatic brain injury is also known as acquired brain injury or simply a head injury.  A TBI can result from an acquired brain injury from either a closed head injury or a penetrating head injury.  It can also be from a non-traumatic brain injury, such as a stroke, meningitis or anoxia.

When a traumatic brain injury occurs, damage to several parts of the brain can occur.  The cerebral hemispheres, cerebellum and brain stem are affected and those damaged areas can cause a host of physical, cognitive, emotional, and social effects.

While some of the symptoms of a traumatic brain injury can be seen immediately, the majority of other symptoms might not be evident until several days or weeks after the injury.  The symptoms of a TBI can be mild, moderate, or severe, depending on the extent of the damage to the brain.

With a mild traumatic brain injury, the person may remain conscious or may experience a loss of consciousness for a few seconds or minutes. This can often be associated with a concussion or fainting spell.  Some of the other symptoms of a mild traumatic brain injury include headache, confusion, dizziness, blurred vision or tired eyes, ringing in the ears, bad taste in the mouth, fatigue or lethargy, a change in sleep patterns, behavioral or mood changes, and trouble with memory, concentration, attention, or thinking.

A person with moderate or severe traumatic brain injury may show these same symptoms, but may also have a headache that gets worse or does not go away, repeated vomiting or nausea, convulsions or seizures, an inability to awaken from sleep, dilation of one or both pupils of the eyes, slurred speech, weakness or numbness in the extremities, loss of coordination, and increased confusion, restlessness, or agitation.

Small children with moderate to severe TBI may show some of these signs as well as signs specific to young children, including persistent crying, inability to be consoled, and refusal to nurse or eat. Anyone with signs of moderate or severe traumatic brain injury should receive immediate emergency medical attention.

Most of the time, when a minor brain injury occurs, the outcome is usually fine over time. When a moderate or severe brain injury has happened, you might need to consult with a qualified and experienced brain injury attorney to see if you are able to receive compensation for long term care needs.