Agoura Hills Traumatic Brain Injury Attorneys

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the most common causes of traumatic brain injury in the United States are:

• Slip and fall accidents – These account for approximately 40% of all brain injuries recorded.
• Motor vehicle accidents – Car accidents, truck accidents and motorcycle accidents account for approximately 14% of all brain injuries.
• Blunt force trauma injuries – When a person is struck by or against an object.
• Violence and gunshots

Brain injuries can range from concussions, leading to neuropsychiatric problems including post-concussion syndrome and emotional disorders, to various degrees of cognitive impairment and other severe neurological injuries that can leave a person in a permanently vegetative state. If you or a loved one has suffered any kind of blow to the head, it is important to seek emergency medical attention immediately. Even a concussion must be referred to as an emergency medical department or doctor.

Some common symptoms include:

• Loss of consciousness, anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes
• State of confusion, disorientation, or dizziness
• Headache
• Nausea and/or vomiting
• Problems with speech such as slurring or stuttering
• Difficulty sleeping or sleeping more than usual
• Drowsiness and fatigue
• Sensory issues, such as blurred vision or ringing ears
• Uncharacteristic mood swings and agitation

Brain injuries are tricky to diagnose and the symptoms can be temporary, permanent, and vary widely from one person to another.

A concussion is a traumatic brain injury (TBI) that can occur when the head is exposed to sudden movement, a jolt or a blow - e.g., in a car crash or a fall to the ground. As illustrated in the video below, these types of head traumas can push the brain into the skull causing injury to the organic brain matter.

The brain is essentially a network of nerve cells called neurons. Cognition occurs as neurons send and receive billions of electrochemical signals to one another in various, complex patterns. Neurons receive signals through the dentrites and transmit signals through the axons. According to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS), trauma to the head can cause microscopic changes in the axons, disrupting these patterns and causing harm.

Head injuries and traumatic brain injuries range from mild to moderate to severe, but all necessitate prompt medical evaluation and treatment. Even if you believe you have only suffered a mild head injury, it is still important that you see a medical professional who can assess the injury and determine the best treatment.

But, how can you tell if a head injury or TBI is mild or severe? Typically, the severity of the blow to the head and/or your symptoms will point to how severe the injury is. For example, if you slipped and fell, hitting your head hard on the ground, you may have suffered a concussion. A mild concussion could result in symptoms like ringing in the ears, headache, fatigue/drowsiness, nausea, or blurry vision; a moderate or severe concussion could cause you to lose consciousness (even briefly) and/or present more severe symptoms, such as a persistent headache, changes in sleep patterns, and significant confusion, disorientation, and/or memory loss.

If you or someone else suffers a severe head injury, it will most likely be fairly obvious. Severe TBIs often result in immediate serious symptoms, such as loss of consciousness, inability to remember the accident or the events leading up to it, marked sensory problems, changes in mood or personality, or even coma. That being said, keep an eye out for TBI symptoms that seem to become more severe or persist over time, as these could indicate a more serious injury than initially thought.

In any case, always seek immediate medical attention after sustaining a head injury or suspected TBI. Only a qualified medical professional will be able to properly evaluate your injury and determine how severe it is, as well as the lasting implications this may have.

Medical treatment is essential because it is important to diagnose if there is bleeding in the brain, or other signs of possible exacerbation of the injury such as swelling. If treatment is sought in time, there is a better chance that long-term injuries can be avoided, as sadly there is no complete cure for a brain injury. It is also important to get plenty of rest – both physical and mental – after a head injury so that the brain has the best opportunity to heal. Consequently, medical expenses and lost wages are common economic losses following head injuries.

Young children and the elderly generally have worse outcomes from traumas to the head as compared with young adults. In a moderate brain injury, individuals may suffer memory loss, impaired cognitive function, mental impairment, and impaired communication. In a severe brain injury, or TBI, the person may be unresponsive to any kind of stimulation. All types of brain injuries, including concussions, have the potential to lead to emotional changes such as increased anxiety and depression.