A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is physical damage to the brain due to a blow to the head or an object piercing the skull. A TBI may be mild and heal completely with minimal treatment, but a serious TBI can be debilitating, permanent or fatal. In some instances, a TBI is obvious even to those with little or no medical training. However, the symptoms can also be more difficult to recognize.
Common signs of a TBI include:
- Loss of consciousness
- Severe or chronic headaches
- Disorientation
- Nausea
- Dizziness/vertigo
- Impaired vision
- Sensitivity to light and sound
- Swelling or bleeding from the head
- Reduced attention span
- Memory loss
- Slurred speech
- Fatigue
- Insomnia
- Anxiety/depression
Untreated or improperly treated head trauma can exacerbate a TBI. Therefore, it is important for injuries to be properly diagnosed as soon as possible. Those who have suffered even mild trauma to the head should immediately consult a medical professional, as injuries to the brain might require future surgeries or other types of medical and personal care.
A TBI can leave you unable to work and earn a living. Mental infirmity due to TBI can also be damaging to close family relationships and substantially interfere with a person’s daily activities and hobbies.
While a person might suffer a TBI in many different scenarios, some of the more common causes of TBI involve:
- Car accidents
- Trip and fall accidents
- Sports-related injuries
- Workplace accidents
- Physical assaults
An accident victim who suffers a serious injury should do their best to document the incident and all relevant medical treatment received. It is also prudent to maintain a log of the effects of the injuries. These records can help doctors develop appropriate treatment plans and provide relevant evidence in a personal injury claim so that you can get a fair amount of compensation.
Located in Flagstaff, Arizona, the Law Office of Matthew J. Poirier PLLC is a highly respected personal injury law firm serving the greater Flagstaff metropolitan area. If you or a loved one have suffered a traumatic brain injury, feel free to contact us online or call (928) 522-4866 for a free initial consultation.