In this article, we’ll explore what TBI is, the primary types of traumatic brain and head injuries, the levels of brain injury, and how this information is used in a personal injury case.
Types Of Traumatic Brain Injuries
There are a few primary kinds of traumatic brain injuries that can occur as a result of an accident. These types of TBIs include:
Concussions
A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury that occurs as a result of a sudden change in motion or movement, impact to the head, or by shaking. The common causes of type of injury is often seen after someone is hit in the head, such as during a football game, or as the result of whiplash, which is a common occurrence in car accidents. Concussions vary in severity, and some people don’t even know they have a concussion until they are checked out by a healthcare provider.
Concussions are typically diagnosed by a doctor performing a neurological examination in which they check your reflexes, coordination, vision, hearing, and balance. They may also perform a cognitive test, which tests your concentration, memory, and ability to recall information. Additionally, if these tests are inconclusive, a doctor may recommend a brain imaging test such as a cranial computerized tomography (CT) scan.
Common symptoms of a concussion include headaches, memory loss, seizures, ringing in the ears, drowsiness, confusion, and vomiting. Potential complications of concussions include post-concussion syndrome, post-traumatic vertigo, post-traumatic headaches, and second impact syndrome. Concussions are more dangerous if more than one happens over a set period of time or if the person does not know they have a concussion and does take appropriate care of themselves.
Brain Contusions
The second common type of traumatic brain injury is a brain contusion. A brain contusion is when the brain itself is bruised in an accident or other injury. Bruising is caused by the breaking of blood vessels, and is never good when the brain is involved. Blood clots in the brain are known as hematomas and can cause pressure on the brain. Brain contusions typically happen as a result of a direct blow to the head, such as if a person’s head hits the dashboard or the steering wheel during a car accident if they are not wearing a seatbelt. Because brain contusions directly involve structural brain damage, they are considered more severe than concussions.
Contusions can become larger hours or even days after the injury occurred, which can result in a deterioration of brain function. If the contusion causes the brain to bleed or swell, the contusion is considered severe and the individual may need surgery. Symptoms of contusions can vary depending on the severity of the injury. Common symptoms include confusion, drowsiness, trouble with balance and coordination, seizures, and impaired hearing and speaking. Medical professionals diagnose brain contusions by performing CT scans.
Cerebral Lacerations
Cerebral lacerations, also called penetrating injuries, happen when a skull fracture occurs leading to bone or a foreign object to cause a tear in the brain tissue. This is commonly seen when a person’s head is injured in a car accident or another type of accident. Cerebral lacerations can range in severity, with some being very small and causing minimal damage to the brain and others being very large and causing severe swelling or bleeding in the brain. Cerebral lacerations are diagnosed by medical professionals with CT scans.
Anoxic Brain Injuries
Anoxic brain injuries occur when there is a total lack of oxygen flow to the brain. This type of brain damage is caused by direct physical trauma, such as falling on your head or banging your head on a hard object. When oxygen cannot reach the brain for four or more minutes, the result is brain cell death. Many anoxic brain injuries cause loss of consciousness which can be short- or long-term depending on the severity of the injury. Other symptoms of anoxic brain injury include headaches, vision problems, seizures, trouble talking or swallowing, trouble with coordination and balance, confusion, issues communicating, disorientation, and memory impairment.
The level of severity of the injury will depend on whether a person will deal with long-term trauma. If the injury is less severe, many patients will make a full recovery. However, if the brain goes without oxygen for too long, permanent brain damage or even death can occur.
Hypoxic Brain Injuries
A hypoxic brain injury is one in which oxygen is restricted from getting to the brain so the brain does not get an adequate amount of oxygen to function properly. As with anoxic brain injuries, an extended period of restricted flow of oxygen to the brain can result in impairment or death of brain cells. Hypoxic brain injuries have very similar symptoms to anoxic brain injuries. These symptoms include changes in sensory perception, forgetfulness, confusion, trouble forming sentences, vision issues, headaches, seizures, trouble with coordination and balance, and motor impairment. Some people may also experience personality changes, lack of bladder or bowel control, and changes in sexual function.
Second Impact Syndrome
Second impact syndrome is a type of brain injury in which a person incurs a second concussion shortly after the first concussion. For example, if an athlete who has a concussion returns to the field too soon and is hit in the head again, they may suffer a second concussion and experience second impact syndrome. Unlike with the first concussion, a second concussion only requires minimal force to have a significant impact and potentially irreversible brain damage. This is because the brain is more susceptible to injury following the initial concussion. The brain will typically swell rapidly after a second concussion and a person will experience side effects that can range from mild to deadly. Common side effects of second impact syndrome include loss of consciousness, loss of eye movement, respiratory failure, dilated pupils, confusion, trouble with speech, and coordination and balance issues.
If a person suspects they have second impact syndrome, they should seek medical treatment immediately. There, a doctor will perform a CT scan to determine the level of bleeding or swelling in the brain. This injury requires hospitalization and close monitoring and may also require treatments such as diuresis, blood pressure control, hyperventilation, and fluid restriction.
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TBI Levels
There are three primary levels of severity of traumatic brain injury a person can suffer. The most common way that medical professionals measure the level of injury is by using the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), which is a point scale that analyzes a person’s level of consciousness and neurological functioning. The three levels of brain injury measured include:
- Mild injuries: A mild traumatic brain injury is when a person experiences loss of consciousness or a mental status change for less than 30 minutes. Some people with mild TBI will not lose consciousness at all. Symptoms of a mild injury include blurred vision, headache, nausea or vomiting, dizziness, trouble with speech, and fatigue. Even if the injury appears to be mild, it’s still important to seek medical care and stay under the supervision of a doctor for at least 24 hours to ensure the brain is not injured.
- Moderate injuries: A moderate traumatic brain injury is when a person experiences loss of consciousness or a mental status change for 30 minutes to six hours. Symptoms of moderate brain injuries include seizures, worsening headaches, double vision, irritability, and confusion. Moderate brain injuries can cause complications that can last for weeks, months, or even forever. Most people will require life-long treatment for this type of injury.
- Severe injuries: A severe traumatic brain injury is when a person loses consciousness for six or more hours. This type of injury can be life-threatening and result in permanent brain damage that can significantly impair a person’s ability to function. Symptoms of a severe TBI include sensitivity to sound and light, inability to wake up from sleeping, convulsions, seizures, swelling or bruising around the eyes or behind the ears, ringing in the ears, and coma.
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What To Do If You’ve Suffered A Traumatic Brain Injury As A Result Of An Accident
If you or a loved one has suffered TBI or head trauma as a result of an accident at which another person or entity was at fault, it’s important to seek not only medical treatment but also legal representation by an experienced traumatic brain injury attorney. An experienced and dedicated attorney will ensure you get the compensation you need and deserve so you aren’t left with immense medical bills, damages, loss of income, and other consequences of a brain injury. Contact Florin|Roebig today for a 100% confidential and free consultation today.
