A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a very serious kind of injury claim that can be difficult for victims because most other people are completely unaware that victims even have such injuries, and there is even the possibility that victims themselves may not know about their injuries. When you suffer a TBI in any kind of accident stemming from the negligence of another party, do not delay in seeking the help of an experienced.
The most recent statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show 64,000 TBI-related deaths in the United States, or about 176 TBI-related deaths a day. The American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) also reports 288,000 hospitalizations for TBI every year, with 13.5 million individuals living with a disability due to TBI.
Types of TBI Symptoms
There are a great many subtle symptoms of TBIs that are not always immediately apparent to victims. Family members or friends, however, may notice such changes as:
Personality Changes
A TBI victim can suddenly become more risk-prone than usual or otherwise have trouble inhibiting certain behaviors they kept under control prior to their injury. Some victims can become less affectionate or exhibit other types of behaviors that were not common before their accidents.
Increased Lethargy
Many TBI victims will be fighting increased fatigue following their injuries because the brain will dedicate itself to healing. Fatigue may be physical, cognitive, or psychological. Physical fatigue involves exhaustion after even mundane tasks, cognitive fatigue will mean a person wears out after performing tasks such as reading or talking, and psychological fatigue is similar to both physical and cognitive but does not improve even after sleep.
Vision Problems
Some TBI victims will experience some subtle problems with their vision, possibly having difficulty reading up close or suffering from limited long-range vision. Many TBI victims can be dismissive of vision problems as being emblematic of large issues, but such problems are deserving of immediate medical attention.
Numbness or Tingling
Tingling hands after a TBI can be painful, puzzling, and disruptive to daily activities in many cases. There can also be lingering scalp numbness or sensation of pins and needles in other areas of the body.
Balance Problems
When a TBI causes inadequate blood flow to the brain, victims can become more susceptible to fainting. Any person who is dealing with issues relating to maintaining their balance after a head injury needs an evaluation for TBI.
Memory Issues
TBI victims can suddenly experience problems remembering names or places, suffer from decreased short-term recall, or just have basic forgetfulness. Such symptoms are classic signs of a brain’s inability to process and retain information, meaning a possible TBI.
Altered Senses of Taste and Smell
After a person suffers a TBI, it is possible that other parts of their body relating to taste and smell can also suffer lingering effects. When there are notable changes in a person’s ability to smell or taste, they need to get a comprehensive medical examination to determine if they have a TBI.
Persistent Headaches or Dizziness
Headaches are one of the most common symptoms of TBIs, so continuous headaches should always be a sign that a head injury is more severe than originally thought. Similarly, any feeling of dizziness in everyday situations can also be a sign of TBI.
Call Us Today to Schedule a Free Consultation with a Charleston Personal Injury Attorney
If you think that you or your loved one is suffering from a TBI that was the result of an accident stemming from another party’s negligence, you cannot afford to wait in seeking legal counsel. Cary Law Office has helped scores of TBI victims recover financial compensation that can help cover many of the costs inherent in caring for these types of injuries.
Our firm knows how challenging it can be to prove TBIs in courts but can consult with the right kinds of experts to prove the true extent of damage to your brain. Feel free to call us at (304) 804-6369 or contact us online to arrange a free consultation that will let us take the time to really go over every detail of your case with you and discuss who can be held accountable and the awards for which you might be eligible.