Signs of a Traumatic Brain Injury
Head and brain injuries can lead to severe symptoms and long-lasting disabilities for a victim. A person who sustains a traumatic brain injury can suffer from a wide range of symptoms that depend on the initial severity of the injury, how quickly a person receives treatment, and the effectiveness of that treatment. Traumatic brain injuries range from relatively mild to severe, and the symptoms one person experiences may differ from another person who experiences a similar injury.
Data available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows us that approximately 1.5 million people sustain traumatic brain injuries each year. Around 166 Americans die every day as a result of a traumatic brain injury. Here, we want to discuss the most common signs of traumatic brain injuries.
Immediate Signs of a TBI
Anytime a person sustains a bump or blow to the head, they should seek immediate medical care. Some of the signs and symptoms of a brain injury are immediately apparent and can include:
- Any open head wound
- Loss of consciousness
- Confusion or trouble speaking
- Loss of coordination
- Clear fluid draining from the nose or ears
However, it is not uncommon for the signs of a brain injury to not be immediately apparent. In some cases, traumatic brain injury symptoms do not appear until hours or even days after the initial injury occurs. This can lead to problems because some people feel fine after they sustain a blow to the head. However, what they may not realize is that there could be bleeding happening between the brain and the skull, or the brain could be swelling.
Individuals who have sustained a blow to the head, as well as their friends and family members, should watch out for a variety of symptoms that a brain injury has occurred:
- Disorientation
- Confusion
- Excessive fatigue or trouble waking up
- Loss of coordination
- Persistent or worsening headaches
- Unusual behavior, agitation, or combativeness
- Strange speech
Moderate to Severe Long-Term Traumatic Brain Injury Symptoms
When a person receives immediate medical care for a mild brain injury, they are typically able to make a full recovery. However, those who sustain moderate to severe brain injuries may have long-lasting symptoms or disabilities, regardless of how quickly they receive medical treatment. Some of the most common long-term traumatic brain injury symptoms include the following:
- Loss of fine motor skills
- Paralysis (partial or complete)
- Problems with bowel or bladder control
- Language or speech issues
- Loss of coordination
- Trouble thinking or remembering
- Vision problems
- New behavioral issues or impulsiveness
- Trouble interacting in social situations
Long-Term Care May be Needed
If you or a loved one have sustained a traumatic brain injury caused by the careless or negligent actions of someone else, you will likely be able to recover various types of compensation. The reality is that these injuries can leave a person needing long-term and maybe even permanent care. Medical expenses and other hidden costs can reach astronomical levels.
Brain injury victims should be able to recover a wide variety of types of compensation from the at-fault party, including complete coverage of medical bills, wage replacement, general household out-of-pocket expenses, pain and suffering damages, loss of quality of life damages, and more. It is important to work with a skilled Atlanta brain injury attorney who can fully investigate the situation, determine liability, and help recover total compensation.