Closed Brain Injury

When an individual suffers a blow to the head due to a motor vehicle accident, a fall, an assault, a sports accident, or any other type of incident, they are often left without an immediately visible wound. The lack of visibility of the wound, however, does not at all mean they have not sustained a traumatic brain injury (TBI). A closed traumatic brain injury is one in which the skin and/or skull is not penetrated by an object, but that still results in possible significant damage to brain tissue and the accompanying signs and symptoms of such damage. An estimated 1.7 million individuals sustain this type of injury on an annual basis according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Types of Closed TBI

Closed brain injuries are more common than open brain injuries and damage can occur in many ways. Some types of closed TBI include the following:

Contusions — bruising due to damaged blood vessels;
Focal injury — damage in only one area of the brain;
Diffuse injury — damage to tissue and cells throughout many parts of the brain; and
Coup-contrecoup injury — damage that occurs on both sides of the brain due to the brain rebounding inside the skull.

Closed brain injuries can range from mild, such as a concussion that clears up after a few days or weeks, to severe, in which damage can be long-lasting or even permanent.

Signs and Symptoms of Closed Brain Injury

As with any other type of brain injury, the signs and symptoms can be very different from one patient to another. Some common effects of closed brain injuries can include:

Dilation of the pupils
Headaches
Coma or loss of consciousness
Respiratory problems
Convulsions
Fluid leakage from ears or nose
Nausea and/or vomiting
Dizziness or disorientation
Vision, hearing, or speech problems
Behavioral or emotional issues

Even in cases of mild closed TBI, the symptoms may be serious even if they are only short-lived. Many closed brain injury victims require a period of rest from activities or work, as well as ongoing medical attention, observation, and treatment. These symptoms can be extremely disruptive to a victim’s life and an individual suffering from closed TBI can incur many different types of losses.

Discuss Your Situation With a Skilled Baltimore & Washington D.C. Brain Injury Attorney Today

Brain injury cases can be very complicated and, if you have sustained any type of brain injury, you do not want to risk losing any of the compensation you deserve. To make sure your rights as a brain injury victim are fully protected, you should never delay in consulting with a highly experienced brain injury attorney to learn about your legal rights. At The Casper Firm in Baltimore and Washington, D.C., we can negotiate with insurance companies or file a legal claim for personal injury on your behalf if necessary to obtain full and just recovery from any negligent parties. The sooner you call, the sooner we can begin working on your case, so please call today to set up your free consultation.