Although accidents are commonplace in society, they are still very unexpected incidents when they occur to you. In some cases, they can be tragic events resulting in catastrophic injuries.
A severe injury, such as a traumatic brain injury, does not only impact the accident victim in the immediate, but it can also cause lasting effects that impact the victim’s health and quality of life. As such, it is important to fully understand how a TBI could impact your health and what legal options you have when it comes to seeking damages.
TBIs
Suffering a head or brain injury in an accident, such as an automobile collision, work accident or slip-and-fall, can be a very scary and overwhelming situation. For some, the effects of this type of injury are not immediately experienced or even noticeable. Thus, it is important that this type of injury is considered even if it is not an obvious injury suffered in an accident.
Two types
With regards to TBIs, there are two broad types. The first is a penetrating TBI, which is when an object pierces the skull and enters the brain. Often, a penetrating TBI damages only a part of the brain.
The second is a non-penetrating TBI, which occurs when an external force is strong enough to move the brain when the skull in impacted by this force. This frequently occurs in falls, automobile accidents, being struck by an object, sports injuries and blast injuries.
Signs of a TBI
The signs and symptoms of a TBI are physical, cognitive, and behavioral while also impacting the accident victim’s perception and sensations. The most frequent and obvious signs and symptoms include headaches, seizures, blurred vision, clear fluid draining from the nose or ears, vomiting, slurred speech, loss of consciousness, confusion, memory issues, changes in sleep patterns, irritability, dizziness, ringing in the ears, bad taste in the mouth, sensitivity to light or sound, mood changes, anxiousness and fatigue.
The treatment and effects of a TBI is dependent on the type and severity. In some cases, it means long-term medical care that requires surgeries, therapy, medication and even home care. Thus, it is important to understand your legal rights and options after suffering a catastrophic injury in an accident. A personal injury claim could help you establish cause and liability while also aid in your efforts to recover compensation for your losses and damages.