Minor brain injuries can result in serious long-term complications, such as cognitive function impairment, altered movement coordination, and reduced quality of life. A person who has a concussion history has a higher risk of depression and dementia. Proper testing and diagnosis are crucial in assessing the full extent of brain damage.
Traumatic Brain Injuries
Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) disrupt the normal functioning of the brain. The injuries can be caused by falls or a sudden jolt or blow to the head. Other causes include the head violently striking an object like a windshield in a car accident or an object penetrating the skull and entering the brain tissue. TBIs during childhood may affect normal brain development, limiting a child’s learning capabilities and ability to engage in outdoor activities.
Brain Injury Effects
A minor brain injury, such as a concussion, can temporarily impair brain function and lead to headaches and memory loss problems. Most minor brain injury victims become symptom-free within two weeks, while others experience prolonged problems for months or years. Severe brain injury survivors may develop long-term health problems that can affect their personality and overall quality of life.
Brain Injury Symptoms
Brain injury symptoms can either be physical, cognitive, or emotional. Physical symptoms include dizziness and loss of vision. Mental state alterations, such as amnesia and poor concentration, constitute cognitive symptoms. A brain injury victim can also experience emotional symptoms, such as irritability and depression. TBI symptoms can be mild, moderate, or severe, depending on the extent of brain damage.
Testing and Diagnosis
The common tests that medical providers use to test and diagnose a brain injury include radiological tests like MRI and neuropsychological tests like Glasgow Coma Scale. Glasgow Coma Scale tool is a 15-point score test widely used in evaluating consciousness level after a TBI. A score of 13-15 indicates a mild injury, while scores of 9-12 and 3-8 indicate moderate and severe TBI respectively.
Brain Injury Lawsuit
A person who suffers a brain injury due to someone else’s negligence can file a brain injury lawsuit against the at-fault party with the legal support of a personal injury attorney. The attorney can accurately evaluate the circumstances that led to the injuries, determine the value of available insurance coverage, and consider the full extent of the injured party’s damages. Based on the facts of the case, the injured party may recover tangible damages, intangible damages, and punitive damages.
