Few things can impact someone’s life like a serious injury that comes with lasting consequences. And one of the most significant injuries someone can experience is a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), a type of serious brain injury caused by a jolt, bump, or blow to the head. 

The effects of a TBI can vary wildly, ranging from a brief headache to a debilitating long-term or even lifelong injury that affects cognition, speech, eyesight, and/or even muscle control. Understanding the causes, symptoms, and long-term consequences of TBI is the first step toward getting the care and legal support you need. In this post from the law office of Oklahoma personal injury attorney Tim Gilpin, we’re breaking down everything you need to know about TBI.

What Causes TBI?

A TBI can occur for any number of reasons, all ultimately resulting in an injury to the brain caused by an external force. Some TBIs are immediately obvious. But others can be difficult to detect at first and even go unnoticed at first — which is why it’s so important to understand the mechanisms, causes, and signs of a brain injury. 

On a physiological level, a traumatic brain injury can mean damage to blood vessels or brain tissue, hematoma (bleeding), and brain swelling and inflammation. This type of damage can come from a wide range of common but potentially devastating accidents. 

These are all common causes of TBI:

• Car accidents: Although car accidents are commonly associated with whiplash, whiplash is often associated with TBI due to the sudden impact or deceleration that causes an individual’s brain to slam against the inside of their skull. 
• Slip and fall injuries: Elderly individuals and children are especially at risk of TBI from falls, but this type of injury can affect anyone.
• Assaults: Sadly, assaults and domestic violence are one of the most common causes of TBI according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. 
• Sports injuries: TBI is commonly associated with high-impact sports, especially when appropriate safety equipment is disregarded. 
• Blunt trauma accidents: From construction site injuries to objects falling from high shelves, blunt trauma accidents can happen anytime safety is not a top priority. 

Degrees and Types of Traumatic Brain Injury

Traumatic brain injuries can vary in type, degree, and scope of injury, involving a focal point of injury or a diffuse injury, a type of injury affecting a more widespread region or regions of the brain. Anytime a TBI is suspected, getting a complete round of neurological diagnostic testing as soon as possible can be essential to mitigating negative outcomes. This can be especially true if it means you will need to work with insurance companies or worker’s compensation policies. 

These are all types of TBI:

• Concussion: A concussion is a mild form of TBI and by far the most common type of brain injury. Even though concussions are considered mild in comparison to other types of TBI, they can have lasting effects if they’re not properly treated. Concussions are commonly associated with dizziness, headaches, confusion, and other types of temporary neurological changes. 
• Contusion: This is essentially a bruise on the brain caused by localized bleeding.
• Diffuse Axonal Injury (DAI): Frequently associated with the type of powerful impact experienced during a high-speed auto accident, a DAI is a more severe injury caused by the tearing of nerve fibers in the brain.
• Penetrating or Open TBI Injuries: Unlike the blunt closed head injuries associated with most TBIs, a penetrating injury occurs when the skull is penetrated by an object such as a bullet.  

What to Look For: Signs and Symptoms of TBI

Although signs of a TBI can appear immediately after an injury occurs, they can also show up days or even weeks down the road. Anytime you suspect you could have a head injury, it is vital to get checked out as a safety measure even if you feel fine initially.

Immediate Symptoms of TBI

If any of these occur within the first 24 hours of a head injury, seek medical attention right away: 

• Loss of consciousness, even for a few seconds
• Sleepiness or decreased wakefulness
• Dizziness or a loss of balance
• Headache
• Blurred vision
• Double vision
• Asymmetric pupil dilation
• Nausea or vomiting
• Convulsions or seizures
• Clear fluids draining from ears or nose
• Confusion or disorientation
• Slurred speech
• Weakness in arms or legs
• Loss of balance
• Any new neurological problems

Delayed TBI Symptoms

Delayed symptoms of TBI can also occur after an accident. Although these are common symptoms, any new or unusual symptoms should be cause for concern:

• Memory issues
• Difficulty concentrating
• Difficulty making decisions
• Difficulty falling or staying asleep
• Increased lethargy
• Other sleep pattern changes
• Irritability and mood changes or dramatic mood swings
• Sensitivity to sound or light

Lasting TBI Symptoms

Although many TBI injuries will improve over time under medical supervision, sometimes brain injuries can have a lasting impact on an individual’s life. These impacts can include profound and lasting cognitive, physical, and even behavioral symptoms.

The cumulative effect of lasting TBI symptoms can hinder a person’s ability to earn an income, attend school, drive, or perform basic daily activities. TBI can even have a lasting impact on a person’s relationships or impact their ability to enjoy the little things in life. 

All of these are potential lasting impacts of a traumatic brain injury:

• Sleep disturbances
• Sensitivity to light and sound
• Chronic headaches or even migraines
• Chronic fatigue
• Seizures
• Difficulty focusing or concentrating
• Difficulty processing information 
• Trouble making decisions
• Problem-solving challenges
• Mood swings, irritability, or unusual mood patterns
• Depression or anxiety not previously experienced
• Impulsive behavior
• Poor judgment
• Other personality changes

TBI recovery time can range from weeks to years for most individuals. However, some TBI patients can face lifelong challenges that will require ongoing support and rehabilitation.

Seeking Compensation for TBI 

Another person’s failure to exercise a reasonable standard of care can sometimes result in injury to another person.  This may constitute negligence under the law. Anytime someone else’s negligence is responsible for your TBI, you have the right to seek compensation for the serious and lasting impact on your life. 

Examples of negligence may include:

• A car accident caused by a distracted driver
• A slip and fall injury due to a homeowner’s negligence
• A blunt object injury caused by a chain store’s unsafe stocking practices
• An injury caused by negligent manufacturing practices

Recoverable damages may include past and present medical expenses, past and future lost wages including diminished earning capacity, necessary home modifications, loss of enjoyment of life, and pain and suffering. The value of your claim can depend on the severity of the injury as well as its impact on your life. 

Unfortunately, the at-fault party and their insurance company will often try to minimize your injuries and avoid liability. A skilled personal injury attorney can help you understand your legal rights and hold the party at fault accountable. They will investigate the accident, help you gather crucial evidence, and do what it takes to protect your rights.

If you or a loved one has suffered a brain injury due to another’s negligence, you’re not alone. Tim Gilpin can help you understand your options and fight for the justice and compensation you deserve. Give us a call today for a free, no-obligation consultation.