Always a serious health concern, brain injury may be mild to severe

March 21, 2013

Always a serious health concern, brain injury may be mild to severe

Article provided by Browning Law
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What is the number of Americans who experience brain injury annually? Shockingly, 1.7 million people is the answer, according to the Brain Injury Association of America, or BIAA, which has declared March 2013 to be Brain Injury Awareness Month. BIAA also reports that more than 3 million people have already become permanently disabled because of traumatic brain injuries.

Traumatic brain injury

Most people have a general idea of what a traumatic brain injury is. Specifically, TBI results when a "blow, jolt or bump to the head or a penetrating head injury disrupts the normal function of the brain," says the BIAA. Similarly, Mayo Clinic states that TBI happens when "an external mechanical force causes brain dysfunction," which can range from mild to severe impairment.

Brain cells, surrounding tissues and blood vessels can all sustain harm, which can be localized or widespread depending on the type of impact. Damage may include inflammation, bleeding, clots, bruising and blockage of oxygen flow. Another difficulty is that some symptoms are delayed and do not show up until much later than the incident that caused the initial injury.

Some changes to watch for in the patient:
-Unconsciousness from brief to a coma or other long-term reduction in consciousness
-Confusion
-Headache
-Sleep disturbance
-Impaired memory or coordination
-Mental health symptoms like mood swings, agitation, depression or anxiety
-Dizziness
-Nausea
-Sensory sensitivity or problems
-Trouble talking or comprehending
-Seizures
-Pupil dilation
-Clear fluid running from facial cavities
-Infection
-Stroke
-Nerve damage
-Cognitive impairment
-Behavioral changes


While many people heal from mild brain injury, some types of severe brain damage from injury are not reversible and can even be fatal. TBI also increases the risk of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases and other similar conditions.

Typical causes

Kids, young adults and the elderly are more often susceptible to brain injury. Falls are more likely in these age groups -- around the house, on steps, doing chores or at work. Other common ways to receive TBI include:
-Explosions and blasts
-Military combat
-Sporting activity, especially so-called "extreme" sports
-Motor vehicle accidents involving cars, trucks, motorcycles, bikes, runners and walkers
-Violence like gunshots or domestic abuse
-Work-related incidents

Victims of brain injury should see a doctor or emergency personnel as soon as possible for testing and treatment. Any blow to the head could result in harm, even if typical symptoms do not immediately appear, especially in children.

Long-term care needs

Not surprisingly, some TBI victims will require significant, even lifelong, care like therapies, rehabilitation and even in-home or institutional medical treatment. The BIAA cites the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as the source for the number $76.3 billion to represent the total cost of TBI in the U.S. yearly, looking at extremely high medical costs and indirect costs like lowered productivity.

If you or a loved one has sustained a TBI because of the careless, recklessness or negligence of another person or entity, consult an experienced personal injury lawyer to explore what legal remedies you may have to recover damages for the high costs associated with TBI.