BRAIN INJURY FACTS
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brain injury occurs every 16 seconds; a death from brain injury occurs every
12 minutes.
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The national statistics cite between 50 and 70% of traumatic brain
injuries are the result of a motor vehicle crash (MVC).
» A person not wearing their seatbelt is 8.4 times more
likely to sustain a traumatic brain injury with loss of consciousness in a car
wreck.
» Nationwide, TBI leaves more than 17,000 children with a
permanent disability every year. |
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A traumatic
brain injury is the result of a sudden, violent blow to
the head. This type of injury causes the brain to smash
into the side of the skull. When a head injury bruises or
tears the brain tissue or blood vessels around the brain,
the inside of the brain bleeds and swells. Swelling
creates pressure inside the skull, called intracranial
pressure, which can cut off the flow of oxygen to the
brain.
The severity of a traumatic brain injury can range from a
mild concussion to a coma or even death. Symptoms of a
traumatic brain injury may include headache, nausea,
confusion, a change in personality, depression,
irritability, and other emotional and behavioral problems.
Some people may have seizures because of a brain injury.
The nature of the symptoms depends on where the brain has
been injured. Below find a list of possible physical,
emotional and cognitive symptoms, which can arise from
damage to specific areas of the brain:
Cognitive effects:
- Short term memory
loss
- Trouble
concentrating
- Difficulty with
communication
- Spatial
disorientation
- Impaired judgement
- Unable to do more
than one thing at a time
Physical effects:
- Seizures
- Muscle spasticity
- Double vision or
blindness
- Loss of smell or
taste
- Speech impairments
- Headaches
- Fatigue
- Balance problems
- Pain
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Emotional
effects:
- Difficulty completing tasks
- Increased anxiety
- Depression
- Mood swings
- Impulsive behavior
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Most symptoms of a brain
injury appear immediately or shortly after a blow to the
head. In many cases, however, the symptoms are subtle and
easy to miss. Clinically, traumatic brain injury patients
usually show emotional instability, impaired concentration
and memory, as well as reductions in their ability to
multi-task. There may be major depression and anxiety
associated with these symptoms as well.
Although children may show many of the same symptoms of
brain injury as adults, it is harder to determine.
Children with brain injuries may lack the communication
skills necessary to report symptoms. Their sleep patterns
and school performance may change, and they may lose
interest in favorite toys or activities. Other signs of
traumatic brain injury in children may include:
- Listlessness, tiring
easily
- Irritability, crankiness
- Change in eating or
sleeping patterns
- Change in the way they
play
- Change in the way they
perform or act at school
- Lack of interest in
favorite toys
- Loss of new skills, such
as toilet training
- Loss of balance,
unsteady walking
In order to diagnose a
traumatic brain injury, a doctor will take into
consideration how the injury occurred, as well as the
symptoms. A proper diagnosis, and immediate care, should
be made as soon after the injury occurs as possible.
If you or a loved one have suffered a traumatic brain
injury (TBI) please
contact us or complete our
online case
evaluation for a free consultation. You may have the
right to seek compensation, let us help you and your
family.
Traumatic Brain Injury Questions & Answers:
What is traumatic brain injury?
What are the
most common causes of traumatic brain injury?
What are the
side effects of brain injury?
Who is most at
risk for sustaining a brain injury?
What physical
damages can occur after a brain injury?
How is a
traumatic brain injury diagnosed?
What are
cerebral contusions?
How many
people suffer traumatic brain injury each year?
How is
traumatic brain injury treated?
Can traumatic
brain injury be prevented?
Why is
traumatic brain injury referred to as the “Silent
Epidemic”?
What is
being done to raise awareness of traumatic brain injuries?
If a loved
one or I have suffered a brain injury, should I contact an
attorney?
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Diez-Arguelles & Tejedor
520 North Semoran Blvd.
Suite 200
Orlando, Florida 32807
407.705.2880
888.888.3773
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