March is dedicated to observing Brain Injury Awareness Month
March is Brain Injury Awareness Month, a time to recognize the impact brain injuries have on individuals and their families. Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) are a major cause of death and disability in the United States and can range from mild to severe, so it's important to understand the causes, symptoms, and treatment options. Likewise, it's also essential for brain injury victims to understand their potential legal options if negligence played a role in their injury.
Brain injuries, including concussions, are a frequent consequence of accidents involving negligence and can have significant, lasting effects on a person's well-being. The recovery process for a traumatic brain injury can vary greatly in duration, potentially spanning from weeks to years, or even lasting a lifetime.
At Tracey Fox King & Walters, our dedicated team of Texas personal injury attorneys recognizes the seriousness of traumatic brain injuries and is here to help you pursue the justice and financial compensation you deserve. To learn more about how we can help you, contact us today for a free case evaluation.
Leading causes of brain injury
Traumatic brain injuries affect people of all ages. Some of the leading causes of TBIs include:
- Falls: According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), falls are the leading cause of TBI in young and old age groups.
- Blunt force trauma: TBI can be caused by accidents that involve being struck by or against an object. Many of these accidents are work-related or sports-related.
- Motor vehicle accidents: Traumatic brain injuries are very common among victims of car, truck, pedestrian, and bicycle accidents. Motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of TBI-related emergency room visits.
- Assaults: TBI can be caused by violent assaults such as domestic violence, child abuse, gunshot wounds to the head, or physical assaults.
- Explosions: Blast trauma is another cause of TBIs. Bombs or explosive devices can result in a TBI, especially for those in military service.
Brain injury symptoms
Symptoms of traumatic brain injury vary depending on the severity of the injury and the parts of the brain affected. Symptoms can be physical, behavioral, cognitive, or sensory. The onset of symptoms may be immediately after the accident, or it may be hours or even days later. According to the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), for a mild TBI, a person may experience the following symptoms:
- Headaches
- Confusion
- Dizziness
- Sleepiness
- Nausea
- Sensitivity to light or sound
- Problems with memory or concentration
If someone is suffering from a moderate to severe TBI, they may experience symptoms of a mild TBI in addition to any of the following:
- Headache that does not go away
- Loss of vision
- Prolonged nausea
- Slurred speech
- Seizures
- Loss of consciousness
- Numbness or tingling in legs or arms
If you have any reason to suspect a brain injury, see a doctor right away. A doctor can check your motor and sensory functions and may recommend imaging tests. According to the Cleveland Clinic, a CT scan or MRI can check for bleeding and swelling in the brain, confirming the diagnosis.
Treatment for brain injury
A full recovery from a TBI is more likely for those who get treatment sooner. Although the head injury occurs right at the moment of impact, more damage can occur as time goes on.
With a mild TBI, medications such as pain relievers, antidepressants, and medications to treat seizures, prevent blood clots, and increase alertness may be prescribed. A doctor may also recommend taking time off work and avoiding sports and exercise to reduce the risk of aggravating the injury.
Finally, a severe TBI may need emergency medical care. For example, surgery might be necessary to repair skull fractures, remove hematomas, and relieve pressure inside the skull. Again, a brain injury can be life-altering or even life-threatening, so it's critical that you get medical attention right away.
Contact a Texas brain injury lawyer
At Tracey Fox King & Walters, our Texas brain injury attorneys take pride in helping clients suffering from TBIs pursue the compensation they need to recover fully.
When it comes to brain injury claims, insurance companies often try to limit compensation by downplaying the severity of the injury, disputing the cause of the injury, or trying to shift the blame onto the victim.
In some cases, they may even try to pressure the victim into accepting a lowball settlement offer that falls far short of what the victim is actually entitled to under the law. That's why when having an experienced legal team on your side can help you secure the maximum compensation you deserve.
Learn what our law firm can do for you, and contact us today for a free consultation. We have three offices conveniently located in Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio.