What is Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)?

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a serious condition that commonly develops after direct trauma to the head, which may occur in any number of ways. When an individual hits his head, the brain often hits against the side of the skull, causing damage to the brain tissue. Even a sharp jolt–such as in a car collision–can often cause an impact between the brain and the skull, resulting in a TBI. Additionally, if the skull is fractured, pieces of the bone can cause direct damage to the brain.

Traumatic brain injuries are often categorized as follows:

Mild — This category includes the standard concussion, though the term “mild” can be misleading as victims may still experience serious effects of the injury for days or even weeks.
Moderate — In a moderate brain injury, the damage to the brain is more severe and causes the symptoms and effects of the injury to last for a longer time than mild TBI and perhaps worsen over time.
Severe — Severe brain injuries often result in a coma, amnesia, or other long-term disruptions of brain functioning. This magnitude of brain injury can cause extended or permanent impairments and disabilities in victims.

What Are The Symptoms Of A TBI?

Signs and symptoms of a traumatic brain injury can vary widely from one victim to another. Some of the most common symptoms of a TBI can include:

Unconsciousness
Sleep disturbances
Chronic headaches
Irritability and angry outbursts
Confusion or disorientation
Difficulty controlling emotions
Memory issues
Depression
Difficulty processing basic information
Long-term cognitive challenges
Challenges communicating thoughts
Permanent visible physical impairments
Lack of balance or coordination

There are many other types of cognitive, emotional, and physical effects a victim may experience depending on the location and severity of the brain damage.

In some cases, the effects of the brain injury may not be readily apparent and may not appear for hours or days after the trauma occurred. This can be dangerous as patients may not seek medical attention and may continue engaging in activities that put them at risk for subsequent head trauma, which can lead to severe complications and even death. For this reason, if you have sustained any type of blow to the head, you should stop any activities or work and seek a medical evaluation immediately. If you are even questioning whether you have a traumatic brain injury, it is imperative that you undergo diagnostic testing as soon as possible.

Find out How an Experienced Maryland Brain Injury Attorney at The Casper Firm Can Help You

Whether you have sustained a minor concussion or a severe and disabling TBI, you may be entitled to financial recovery if your injury occurred due to negligent acts of another person or company. At Brain Injury Counsel, our skilled legal team understands how much any type of brain injury can affect your life and we work to stand up for the legal rights of brain injury patients. We have the resources to calculate and prove the full value of your brain injury case, so please call our office for a free consultation.