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Founder and Senior Partner, Michael Nelson,
is himself a brain injury survivor. Thus, we have a special interest
and unique ability to advocate for the proper treatment and compensation
of individuals who have suffered traumatic brain injury while assisting
the family members who are so often involved. Time is of the essence
in these cases. If you think you may have a case contact
Nelson Langer Nelson, PLLC today.
What is Traumatic Brain Injury?
A traumatic brain injury is a head injury that results in damage
to the brain. There are two basic types of head injuries that can
lead to damage within the brain - closed head and penetrating head
injuries.
- Closed Head Injury - Occurs when
the head is suddenly stopped while in motion and the brain hits
the inside of the skull. This happens, for example, when the head
hits the windshield during an auto accident. A closed head injury
can also occur without external trauma to the head, as occurs
when the brain moves forward and back during whiplash. There does
not need to be a loss of consciousness to have suffered a concussion.
- Penetrating Head Injury - Occurs
when an object penetrates the skull.
Damage can occur in three ways: bruising
(bleeding), tearing, and swelling.
- Bruising (bleeding)
- Blood vessels can tear when the brain is injured. When this
occurs, the blood pools within the brain and begins to press on
sensitive brain tissue. The brain tissue will die off and critical
parts of the brain may stop functioning.
- Tearing
- Tiny tears can occur when the brain is injured. These tears
are microscopic and usually cannot be observed with a CT scan
or MRI.
- Swelling - Swelling occurs when the
body realizes the brain has been injured. Extra help is sent to
help it heal, but because there is very little room within the
skull, pressure begins to build up; this can damage parts of the
brain. Critical areas within the brain may stop functioning.
Causes of Traumatic Brain Injury
Traumatic brain injury is most commonly
caused by car accidents, but can also be the result of violence,
falls, worksite accidents or sports injury.
- Car accidents account for over 50% of all
traumatic brain injuries.
- Falls are the major cause of brain injuries
in older people.
- Sports injuries account for 1% of all traumatic
brain injuries.
Danger Signs and Symptoms of Traumatic Brain
Injury (TBI)
Adults
Sometimes brain injuries are not obvious. An injury such as a concussion,
stroke, or whiplash can cause brain damage without showing evidence
of serious trauma. The following is a list of common TBI symptoms
that victims of brain injury may manifest:
Symptoms of Brain Injury
- Persistent mild headache
- Poor memory
- Poor concentration
- Poor organizational ability
- Poor decision making
- Slow speech
- Slow reading
- Confusion
- Neck pain
- Lack of energy
- Change in sleep patterns, such as insomnia
or oversleeping
- Loss of balance, coordination
- Sensitivity to light
- Blurred vision
- Loss of senses
- Ringing in the ears
- Loss of sex drive
- Mood changes
Children
Noticing signs of brain injury in children may be more difficult
because they have less developed communication skills. The child
may feel some symptoms, but cannot express them. The following list
contains things you may notice in your child that can indicate brain
injury:
- Listlessness, lack of energy
- Irritability
- Change in eating habits
- Change in the way they play
- Altered performance in school
- Lack of interest in favorite toys
- Loss of skills, such as toilet training
- Loss of coordination and balance
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