Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and Acquired Brain Injury

Brain Injury: Introduction

According to the Brain Injury Association of America, more than 1.5 million Americans suffer brain injuries each year; of these, roughly 50,000 die and 80,000 are left permanently disabled. These disabilities are physical, cognitive, behavioral, and emotional. Those victims who survive brain injury and who are not left permanently disabled need, on average, five to 10 years of rehabilitation before they can lead normal lives.

If you have suffered a brain injury, it is in your best interest to speak to a personal injury attorney. A personal injury lawyer can explain your rights and help you obtain the compensation to which you and your family are rightfully entitled.

Understanding Brain Injury

A normal brain sends messages via nerves to all parts of the body, signaling them to carry out their functions. These functions include everything from regulating breathing, heart rate, body temperature and metabolism to facilitating cognitive thought, vision, hearing, sense of smell, and the sensation of touch. Every section of the brain has its own tasks; if a section is injured, the entire system can be thrown off.

When a brain is injured, it cannot adequately carry out all functions as it did before. Nerves and neurons may not be able to deliver their messages, thereby affecting speech, bodily movement, thought processes, personality, and internal functions, such as blood pressure and bladder control. Such injury is called a brain injury.

There are two types of brain injury: traumatic brain injury (TBI) and acquired brain injury. Both can have devastating, permanent effects and can even cause death.

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is caused by an external force, usually in the form of a blow to the head. Car accidents, firearm accidents, brawls, slip and fall accidents, and sports such as skiing are some of the most common causes of traumatic brain injury, as are incidents in which the brain is shaken violently inside or ricocheted off the skull (such in the case of Shaken Baby Syndrome and some high-speed car accidents). Diffuse Axonal injury, concussion, contusion, Coup-Contrecoup Injury, Second Impact Syndrome, and penetration injury also fall under traumatic brain injury. Sometimes, the outside force is so strong that it breaks the skull, which can dig into and subsequently injure the brain.

Symptoms of traumatic brain injury include :

• Dilated pupils
• Loss of consciousness/confusion
• Changes in vision (blurred vision, seeing double, intolerance of bright light)
• Dizziness or difficulty balancing
• Respiratory failure
• Coma
• Paralysis and trouble moving parts of the body
• Poor coordination
• Weakness/ lethargy
• Slowed pulse and breathing rate
• Vomiting
• Tinnitus
• Cognitive thought problems
• Loss of bowel or bladder control
• Unexplained emotional outbursts

Levels of Traumatic Brain Injury

There are several levels of traumatic brain injury, ranging from mild to severe.

Mild Brain Injury

Generally referred to as a concussion, a mild traumatic brain injury is characterized by either a brief loss of consciousness or a feeling of confusion. Tests or scans often appear normal; however, the victim’s personality, memory, physical abilities, or other functions may be affected.

Moderate Traumatic Brain Injury

A moderate traumatic brain injury is caused by loss of consciousness that lasts from a few minutes to a few hours. The accompanying confusion can last from days to weeks, while physical, cognitive, behavioral, and/or emotional impairment can last for months or become permanent.

Severe Traumatic Brain Injury

A severe traumatic brain injury involves a prolonged unconscious state or coma that lasts days, weeks, months, or even years. Typically, the longer an individual remains in a coma, the greater the amount of brain damage and the less promising the recovery. However, every traumatic brain injury is different, and every victim responds differently.

Measuring the Severity of a Traumatic Brain Injury

Generally, the Glasgow Coma Scale is used to gage the severity of a traumatic brain injury. The Scale measures eye opening ability, verbal response, motor response, and other areas and gives each a score. These scores are then totaled and evaluated – the lower the score, the more severe the brain injury.

The Glasgow Coma Scale is used as a preliminary evaluation tool to gauge the severity of a TBI. It measures post-trauma eye opening abilities, verbal responses and motor responses, assigning each area a score. The scores from each section are then added together for a total score - the lower the score, the worse the initial traumatic brain injury.

If you believe you have suffered a traumatic brain injury and have already sought medical attention, you are advised to consult a personal injury attorney who specializes in traumatic brain injury cases. An experienced personal injury lawyer can help you win the damages to which you are rightfully entitled, including those for your:

• Loss of wages
• Emotional distress
• Pain and suffering (such as grief, fright, anxiety, humiliation, and depression)
• Permanent disability
• Mental impairment
• Earning capacity impairment
• Loss of profits
• Medical bills
• Interest due from money withheld
• Repair or replacement of property

Acquired Brain Injury

Acquired brain injury is caused by a disruption in oxygen flow to the brain. Stroke, aneurysm, heart attack, tumors, infectious disease, airway obstruction, near-drowning, crushing injuries to the chest, toxic exposure, drug abuse, vascular disruption, infectious disease, meningitis, and more are typically culprits. Further, reckless behavior (such as drunk driving), medical malpractice, and medical negligence can also cause acquired brain injury. In addition, birth trauma can cause acquired brain injury. Such acquired brain injury can affect reasoning, cognitive thought, memory, physical ability, psychosocial behavior, and personality, among other traits and functions.

Symptoms of acquired brain injury include:

• Cognitive impairment (memory, thought, etc.)
• Vegetative state for extended periods of time
• Behavioral problems (acting out, depression, resistance, psychosis, etc.)
• Muscle coordination problems

If you believe you have suffered an acquired brain injury and have already sought medical attention, it is in your best interest to meet with a personal injury attorney who specializes in brain injury cases. A personal injury lawyer can help you build an effective case and win for you the compensation you and your family deserve, including damages to cover:

• Loss of wages
• Emotional distress
• Pain and suffering (such as grief, fright, anxiety, humiliation, and depression)
• Permanent disability
• Mental impairment
• Earning capacity impairment
• Loss of profits
• Medical bills
• Interest due from money withheld
• Repair or replacement of property

Contact a person injury attorney in your area

Treating Brain Injury

First, realize that because every brain injury is different, every victim should undergo a personalized rehabilitative treatment plan. Such a plan might include physical rehabilitation, medication, community support programs, speech/cognitive thought rehabilitation, neuropsychological services, and other options. This care may be administered on either an inpatient or outpatient basis.

Most brain injury victims fare best when they have a team of caretakers and supporters, from doctors, nurses, and psychotherapists to family members, close friends, and even coworkers. Having a solid support network can lessen the emotional blows – including depression and mood swings, dealt by brain injury.

Taking Legal Action in Response to Traumatic and Acquired Brain Injury

If you believe that another person, company, corporation, or entity is legally responsible for your traumatic or acquired brain injury, you should contact a personal injury lawyer immediately. A personal injury attorney can help you preserve evidence, build an effective case, and file your claim within the constraints of the statute of limitations.

Contact a personal injury attorney in your area.