Winters Brain Injury Lawyer

A traumatic brain injury can change someone’s life very quickly. A head injury can make it difficult for someone to retain employment, attend school, and perform the activities that bring them joy. Such a severe injury may impact relationships with family and friends, adding stress to everyday life.

Fortunately, with proper medical care, some individuals who suffer from a TBI could make a meaningful recovery. The recovery process can be long and may include a lengthy hospital stay, a visit to the ICU, or surgical procedures. This can be overwhelming for the brain injured individual and their family. 

If you or someone you love has suffered a head injury in an accident caused by negligence, you may be entitled to pursue monetary compensation to cover your damages. Reach out to our experienced Winters brain injury lawyers at (530) 392-9400 for a free case evaluation. 

Because medical professionals can use terms such as “traumatic brain injury,” “TBI,” and “neurological injury” interchangeably, it is understandable that families may become confused. In general, individuals and their loved ones should know that any blow to the head can cause a change in the way that the brain functions. This is the typical definition of a traumatic brain injury. Severe blows to the head may cause permanent changes in the way that the brain works.

In addition to this, there are multiple ways that a blow to the head might be described. Some of these terms include:

• Blunt Head Injury: In a direct head injury, the blow to the head does not penetrate the skin's surface. Even though the surface of the skin isn’t broken, the brain might still be injured. This injury is more severe if a fractured skull results from the impact. An example of a blunt head injury is a blow from a baseball bat.
• Penetrating Head Injury: In a penetrating head injury, the skin's surface is broken, damaging the brain tissue underneath. A penetrating head injury can tear blood vessels within the brain, leading to a brain bleed. An example of a penetrating head injury is a gunshot or stab wound.

A traumatic brain injury can happen at any time; however, there are a few common ways to sustain a head injury. Some of these mechanisms include:

• Auto Accidents: Motor vehicle accidents can occur at any time, and traumatic injuries can result. One of the most common is a head injury. Rapid changes in the vehicle's momentum can cause the occupants to strike their head on the window, door, or dashboard. Individuals can even suffer injuries from a vehicular ejection, leading to catastrophic injuries.
• Slip and Fall Injuries: Even though fall accidents are common, serious injuries may still result. A fall down a flight of stairs, off a roof, or a wet floor may lead to people striking their head on the ground. This blunt impact may cause a TBI.
• Sports: Recreational and competitive sports have the potential to cause serious head injuries. Contact sports such as football, soccer, and even basketball may lead to concussions. Repeated concussions may lead to long-term health issues.

Because traumatic brain injuries are always serious, they need to be treated right away. Rapid treatment of a head injury is essential in beginning the recovery process and improving someone’s prognosis.

Everyone needs to know how to recognize a neurological injury. Rapidly addressing a head injury begins with knowing some of the common signs. Following an accident, an individual might develop problems staying awake. They might also suffer from rapid mood swings, weakness in a part of the body, or numbness in certain body parts. Difficulty with hearing or vision might also be a sign of a TBI.

Even though individuals may think that they are fine, these symptoms may worsen with time. Because of this, anyone who sustains an impact on the head or neck area needs to seek medical care immediately. The more quickly a TBI is treated, the better the prognosis.

The good news is that there are multiple treatment options available for someone who has been diagnosed with a TBI. Some of these treatment options include:

• Pain Control: Nobody should have to live in pain. Medications will be provided to make individuals feel more comfortable. These include anti-inflammatory medicines in addition to the judicious use of narcotic and opioid drugs.
• Cerebral Swelling: Measures will also be taken to prevent the brain from swelling. This includes blood pressure control, anti-inflammatory options, and careful monitoring of someone’s neurological status. Cerebral swelling may lead to a brain herniation, a much-feared complication.
• Surgery: In some situations, surgery might be required to avoid some TBI complications. During this surgical procedure, a portion of the skull may be removed to reduce the intracranial pressure and give the brain space to heal.

With proper medical care, many individuals who suffer from a TBI can make a meaningful recovery. In addition to seeking medical attention, other professionals can help families during the recovery process.

Treatment for a TBI usually depends on the type of injury. The following video discusses new technology and treatments.

Suffering a brain injury could lead to significant stress for the individuals and their friends and family members. If you or a loved one has sustained a traumatic brain injury following an accident, please contact our Winters brain injury attorneys at (530) 392-9400 or (800) 404-5400 for friendly, free advice.

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Editor’s Note: This page has been updated for accuracy and relevancy [cha 10.5.21]

Image Attributions: Pixabay 

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