Recurrent Traumatic Brain Injury

A mild traumatic brain injury (TBI)–such as a concussion–is commonly considered to be a relatively minor injury. In many cases after an individual hits their head, they may simply apply ice, take an over-the-counter painkiller, and rest. Unfortunately, if an individual does not obtain a proper diagnosis and treatment for even a mild TBI, they run the risk of experiencing dangerous complications if they experience another blow to the head before they have fully recovered.

A recurrent traumatic brain injury occurs when a TBI victim sustains a second mild traumatic brain injury before their brain has fully healed from the initial injury. This commonly occurs in sports when players are not provided adequate medical attention following a hit to the head. For example, in contact sports such as football, hockey, or boxing, a player may take a hit to their head and may not realize they have suffered a mild TBI if they do not undergo a thorough medical evaluation. If the athlete then continues to practice or play in competitions, chances are high that they may get hit in the head again before the initial damage had healed. Such recurrent traumatic brain injuries can have catastrophic results.

Second Impact Syndrome

In some cases, a recurrent traumatic brain injury can cause a condition known as second impact syndrome. Though an initial injury may be relatively minor, a subsequent injury may cause immediate and catastrophic swelling of the brain. Such swelling can cause the pressure of the brain against the skull to increase rapidly and can often be fatal. Even seemingly healthy individuals may succumb to the effects of second impact syndrome. Though this condition is relatively rare, its occurrence demonstrates just how serious a recurrent traumatic brain injury can be.

Multiple Brain Injuries Over Time

Even if one brain injury heals before another is sustained, a victim can experience significant effects of repeated brain injuries. Some examples of conditions that may develop if a person experiences recurrent traumatic brain injuries include the following:

Chronic depression
Early onset Alzheimer’s disease
Early onset dementia
Early onset Parkinson’s disease
Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE)

These conditions can substantially affect the quality of a person’s life and can cause the victim and their family to incur many extensive losses including medical bills, lost income and earning potential, the need for assisted living, permanent disabilities, and more.

An Experienced Brain Injury Attorney at The Casper Firm Can Help You
If you or a loved one has experienced recurrent traumatic brain injuries due to the negligence of someone else, the law gives you the right to seek substantial compensation for your losses. At The Casper Firm in Baltimore, we have seen the effect that any kind of TBI can have on a victim’s life and we are committed to standing up for their legal rights. If you have sustained a TBI and would like to discuss your legal rights and options, please do not hesitate to call our office for a free consultation today.