Traumatic Brain Injury

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) usually is caused when force is applied to the brain. It may be caused by a sharp blow to or bump on the skull, making the brain shake and jam into the skull. Other brain injuries can be caused by something that penetrates the skull, such as a bullet. A shattered fragment of the skull can also create a TBI.

TBI can range from mild to severe. The injury can produce a wide range of physical and psychological effects. The brain is made of soft tissue, so a harsh jolt can lead to tissue damage, wounding the nerve cells. The type of physical and emotional malfunction that results depends on the part of the brain that is injured.

Mild brain injury or concussion can result in:

• Unconsciousness from a few seconds to a few minutes
• Confusion and disorientation
• Difficulty with memory or concentration
• Headache
• Dizziness or loss of balance
• Changes to or swings in moods
• Depression or anxiety
• Problems sleeping
• Nausea or vomiting
• Sensitivity to light or sound
• Excessive sleeping

Moderate to severe brain injuries can cause any of the above symptoms in addition to the following that can occur within the first few hours to days afterward:

• Loss of consciousness from minutes to hours
• Deep confusion
• Unusual behavior including agitation or combativeness
• Slurred speech
• Weakness or numbness in the arms or legs
• Lack of coordination
• Loss of bladder or bowel control
• Repeated vomiting or nausea
• Seizures or convulsions
• Dilation of the pupils of one or both eyes
• Clear fluids draining from the nose or ears

In some cases, the person may not even know he/she has a brain injury. But, a traumatic brain injury can have an overwhelming effect on a person's physical functionality and personality, as well as ability to think.

Long-Term Complications

The complications of traumatic brain injury can show up right away or take longer to occur. They fall into the categories of:

• Seizures
• Altered consciousness, including coma, vegetative state, minimally conscious state and "locked in syndrome," in which someone is aware of surroundings and conscious, but cannot move or speak
• Infection — when the skull fractures or there is a penetrating wound, the protective tissue surrounding the brain can be disrupted; this can allow bacteria to enter the brain and cause an infection
• Nerve damage — cranial nerve damage can be caused by injuries to the bottom of the skull where the nerves emerge directly from the brain; when they are damaged, there can be paralysis of muscles of the face, double vision, interference with sense of smell, loss of vision, loss of sensation of the face
• Cognitive problems which can affect memory, learning, reasoning, problem-solving, judgment, multitasking, and ability to concentrate, organize, make decisions, or begin or finish tasks
• Communication problems having to do with written or spoken language
• Behavioral changes including problems with self-control, verbal or physical outbursts, unawareness of abilities, risky behavior, inaccurate self-image
• Emotional changes that include depression, anxiety, mood swings, irritability, inability to empathize with others, loss of motivation
• Sensory problems that may include ringing in the ears, problems recognizing objects, compromised hand-eye coordination, blind spots or double vision, bitter taste or bad smells, itching, tingling, or pain; impaired balance or dizziness
• Degenerative brain diseases including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases

Contact a Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyer

If you or someone you love has suffered the life-altering effects of traumatic brain injury caused by another person or situation, you should speak with a traumatic brain injury attorney. At Flood Law Group, our injury lawyers recognize the severity of traumatic injuries. We advocate for our patients and help them recover compensation so they can better deal with the challenges they face.

To find out if a lawsuit is right for you, please contact us today.