1.
What is traumatic brain injury?
Traumatic brain injury is an injury to the brain
caused by an external physical force. This force may
produce a diminished or altered state of
consciousness, resulting in an impairment of
cognitive abilities or physical functioning. It can
also result in the disturbance of behavioral or
emotional functioning.
2.
What are the most common causes of brain injury?
- Motor
vehicle crashes - roughly 1/2 of all injuries
- Firearm-related
incidents
- Slips
and falls
- Violence-related
injuries - abuse, Shaken Baby Syndrome
- Recreational
Accidents - bicycle falls, playground equipment
falls, all-terrain vehicle accidents
3.
What are some of the effects of brain injury?
Cognitive
effects:
- Short
term memory loss
- Trouble
concentrating
- Difficulty
with communication
- Spatial
disorientation
- Impaired
judgment
- 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
Emotional
effects:
- Difficulty
completing tasks
- Increased
anxiety
- Depression
- Mood
swings
- Impulsive
behavior
4.
Who is most at risk for sustaining a brain injury?
Anyone can incur a brain injury. However, statistics
show that males are two times more likely than
females to sustain a brain injury. The highest rates
of brain injury typically occur in males ages 15-24.
Individuals who have already sustained a brain
injury are also at an increased risk of sustaining
another brain injury.
5.
How is brain injury diagnosed?
When there is evidence of gross damage to the brain,
such as hemorrhaging, swelling or contusions. These
physical findings are detected by CAT-scan (CT scan)
or Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Where the
damage is minimal, a diagnosis is made by obtaining
history from the patient, the symptoms reported by
the patient and the results of neuropsychological
testing.
6.
What happens after a brain injury?
After a brain injury, a variety of other damages may
occur including:
- Hematoma
(epidural, subdural and/or intracerebral)
- Brain
swelling/edema
- Increased
intracranial pressure
- Cerebral
vasospasm
- Intracranial
infection
- Epilepsy
- Coma
(There are degrees of comatose states. These
degrees are quantified in what is known as a
Glasgow score.)
7.
What types of medical exams are conducted to
determine a brain injury?
Patients with brain injury require frequent
assessments and diagnostic tests. These include:
- Neurological
Exam: A series of questions and simple commands
to see if the patient can open their eyes, move,
speak, and understand what is going on around
them.
- X-ray:
A picture that looks at bones to see if they are
broken (fractured).
- CT
scan (CAT scan): An X-ray that takes pictures of
the brain or other parts of the body.
- MRI
(Magnetic Resonance Imaging) Scan: A large
magnet and radio waves are used, instead of
X-rays, to take pictures of the tissues of the
body.
- Angiogram:
A test to look at the blood vessels in the
brain. Using a catheter, dye is put into an
artery that supplies blood to the brain. This
test can tell if the blood vessels are damaged.
8.
What are cerebral contusions?
Cerebral contusions are bruises on the brain caused
by the brain striking the wall of the skull. A
severe contusion will involve swelling of the brain.
If swelling is severe, these injuries can cause a
severe headache, dizziness, and vomiting. One pupil
may be larger than the other. Depending on which
area of the brain is damaged, the ability to think,
control emotions, move, feel, speak, see, hear, and
remember may be impaired. The person may become
irritable, restless, or agitated.
9.
How many people suffer brain injury each year?
It is estimated that 8 million people sustain brain
injuries each year in the United States. At least 2
million of those injured will be permanently
impaired. After a brain injury, things that once
were easy and familiar become strange and difficult.
The injured party often becomes less efficient at
their job and their livelihood is jeopardized.
10.
If I have suffered a brain injury, should I contact
an attorney?
Yes. It is important that a lawyer be contacted to
evaluate your case as soon as possible. Often, the
circumstances of an accident or injury must be
investigated promptly or valuable evidence is
forever lost. In addition, there is a statute of
limitations governing how long after an injury or
accident that you can bring a complaint against the
other party. Contact Scott C. Gottlieb today to
discuss your situation.
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