Many people assume that all TBIs are concussions; however, there are other TBIs besides concussions. You could be diagnosed with various types of traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) following an accident, just one of which is a concussion.
Concussions Are Mild TBIs
A concussion is one example of a traumatic brain injury you could be diagnosed with following an accident or incident. According to the Mayo Clinic, you may suffer damage to your brain when your brain collides with your skull as a strong force hits your head.
Per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a concussion is considered a “mild” TBI. However, that does not mean concussions cannot significantly impact someone. If the same person suffers mild TBIs repeatedly, they can experience lifelong disability and life-changing symptoms.
If your concussion symptoms do not go away within a few days, you may have post-concussion syndrome. According to Healthline, you may experience these lingering symptoms for days or even weeks after the concussion-causing accident:
- Fatigue
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Vertigo
- Memory or concentration problems
- Insomnia or other sleep issues
- Personality changes
- Light or noise sensitivity
Moderate and Severe Traumatic Brain Injuries
According to the CDC, a moderate or severe TBI can result from penetration or bumps, blows, or jolts to the head. Many people experience long-term or even lifelong effects from moderate or severe TBIs. Additionally, tens of thousands die each year due to severe brain injuries, according to the CDC.
Examples of moderate or severe TBIs include:
Diffuse Axonal Injuries (DAI)
According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, diffuse axonal injuries occur when the brain is shaken within the skull. The cerebral tissues of the brain will slide back and forth along the axons as the brain moves, and the long connecting fibers tear, a phenomenon known as axonal shearing.
Per StatPearls, many DAI patients experience permanent brain damage that affects their ability to work and live a productive life. The primary treatment for diffuse axonal injuries involves preventing further injury.
Brain Hemorrhage
Per Cleveland Clinic, a brain hemorrhage occurs when there is uncontrolled bleeding in the brain tissue or on the brain’s surface. When hemorrhages occur in the space surrounding the brain, you may be diagnosed with a subarachnoid hemorrhage. When hemorrhages occur in the cerebral matter of the brain, you may be diagnosed with an intracerebral hemorrhage.
Depending on the area of the brain that has suffered an injury, you could be dealing with a minor or life-shattering injury. You might also suffer devastating injuries and symptoms resulting from a brain hemorrhage if you fail to obtain medical treatment immediately after the accident. Brain hemorrhages can be a type of invisible injury that, if left untreated, could prove fatal.
Penetrating Brain Injuries
Penetrating brain injuries occur when an object penetrates the skull and brain. Penetrating head wounds can be caused by equipment, bullets, and other foreign objects. Although you might assume penetrating brain injuries are always fatal, this is not necessarily the case.
No one other than your healthcare provider should remove objects that penetrate the brain, as this could cause far more severe damage.
Second Impact Syndrome
Per StatPearls, second impact syndrome, also commonly referred to as repetitive head injury syndrome, occurs when you suffer an additional brain injury shortly after you have suffered a traumatic brain injury. A secondary brain injury will often cause far more severe damage than the initial injury if the first injury did not have adequate time to heal.
Even a seemingly minor second head injury after a traumatic brain injury should be considered life-threatening. You should obtain a medical evaluation after any recurrent traumatic brain injury if you hope to reduce the impact your injuries will have on your life.
How to Recover Compensation for Your TBI
Traumatic brain injuries will often result in astronomical medical expenses and other economic losses. Suppose you experienced a concussion or other TBI due to someone else’s negligence. In that case, a TBI attorney can help you gather the medical records needed to prove the severity of your condition and seek the compensation you’re entitled to. You may be able to make the person or party responsible for causing your injuries pay for your damages.
By recovering compensation for your economic and non-economic damages, you may be able to heal from your injuries, rebuild your life, and avoid financial ruin.
A Personal Injury Lawyer from the Fitch Law Firm LLC Can Help You Today
Have you recently been diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury? If you suffered any head or brain injury following an accident or incident caused by another party’s negligence, you may have the right to compensation for your suffering.
Learn more about how to get justice and recover the most from your claim when you contact our office for a free consultation. You can reach us by phone or through our quick contact form to get started.