Published by Each year in the United States over 1.5 million people suffer from traumatic brain injuries and approximately 50,000 people die from injuries to the brain.
A traumatic brain injury is an injury where a person hits their head on an object, or an object strikes their head, resulting in serious brain damage. Some common causes of brain injury include auto accidents, bus accidents, sports injuries, domestic violence, and falls.
If you or a loved one have been involved in an accident and since developed a traumatic brain injury, you should contact us immediately. You may be entitled to compensation by filing a brain injury lawsuit and we can help.
Table Of Contents
Open Head Brain Injury
An open head brain injury is occurs when a foreign object penetrates the skull and punctures the brain, making it susceptible to infection. Open head brain injuries typically cause impairment to the functions that the injured part of the brain controls. Like other brain injuries, open head injuries must be treated immediately.
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Closed Head Brain Injury
A closed head brain injury occurs when there is trauma to the brain that does not result in a skull fracture. Closed head injuries are somewhat difficult to diagnose because there may be no physical signs of injury. Like other brain injuries, closed head injuries must be treated immediately.
Symptoms of a Traumatic Brain Injury
Some of the most common symptoms of a brain injury are as follows:
- excessive sleepiness
- inattention
- difficulty concentrating
- impaired memory
- faulty judgment
- depression
- irritability
- emotional outbursts
- disturbed sleep
- diminished libido
- difficulty switching between two tasks
- slowed thinking
There are many symptoms that may occur after brain injury. The type of symptoms displayed will generally depend on where in the brain the injury has occurred. Below is a list of possible symptoms which can arise from damage to specific areas of the brain.
Frontal Lobe: Forehead
- Loss of simple movement of various body parts (Paralysis)
- Inability to plan a sequence of complex movements needed to complete multi-stepped tasks, such as making coffee (Sequencing)
- Loss of spontaneity in interacting with others
- Loss of flexibility in thinking
- Persistence of a single thought (Perseveration)
- Inability to focus on task (Attending)
- Mood changes (Emotionally Labile)
- Changes in social behavior
- Changes in personality
- Difficulty with problem solving
- Inability to express language (Broca’s Aphasia)
Parietal Lobe: near the back and top of the head
- Inability to attend to more than one object at a time
- Inability to name an object (Anomia)
- Inability to locate the words for writing (Agraphia)
- Problems with reading (Alexia)
- Difficulty with drawing objects
- Difficulty in distinguishing left from right
- Difficulty with doing mathematics (Dyscalculia)
- Lack of awareness of certain body parts and/or surrounding space (Apraxia) that leads to difficulties in self-care
- Inability to focus visual attention
- Difficulties with eye and hand coordination
Occipital Lobes: most posterior, at the back of the head
- Defects in vision (Visual Field Cuts)
- Difficulty with locating objects in environment
- Difficulty with identifying colors (Color Agnosia)
- Production of hallucinations
- Visual illusions – inaccurately seeing objects
- Word blindness – inability to recognize words
- Difficulty in recognizing drawn objects
- Inability to recognize the movement of object (Movement Agnosia)
- Difficulties with reading and writing
Temporal Lobes: side of head above ears
- Difficulty in recognizing faces (Prosopagnosia)
- Difficulty in understanding spoken words (Wernicke’s Aphasia)
- Disturbance with selective attention to what we see and hear
- Difficulty with identification of, and verbalization about objects
- Short term memory loss
- Interference with long term memory
- Increased and decreased interest in sexual behavior
- Inability to categorize objects (Categorization)
- Right lobe damage can cause persistent talking
- Increased aggressive behavior
Brain Stem: deep within the brain
- Decreased vital capacity in breathing, important for speech
- Swallowing food and water (Dysphagia)
- Difficulty with organization/perception of the environment
- Problems with balance and movement
- Dizziness and nausea (Vertigo)
- Sleeping difficulties (Insomnia, sleep apnea)
Cerebellum: base of the skull
- Loss of ability to coordinate fine movements
- Loss of ability to walk
- Inability to reach out and grab objects
- Tremors
- Dizziness (Vertigo)
- Slurred Speech (Scanning Speech)
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FAQs
What are the common causes of traumatic brain injuries?
Common causes of TBIs include falls, motor vehicle accidents, sports injuries, assaults, and explosive blasts (particularly in military settings). These incidents can result in significant brain damage depending on the severity of the impact.
What treatments are available for traumatic brain injury?
Treatment for TBI depends on the severity and may include rest, pain management, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and cognitive rehabilitation. Severe cases might require surgery to relieve pressure on the brain or repair fractures.
What should I do immediately after experiencing a traumatic brain injury?
Seek immediate medical attention, document the incident and your symptoms, report the injury to relevant authorities (such as an employer or law enforcement), and consult with a lawyer to discuss your legal options.
What should I look for in a lawyer for a traumatic brain injury lawsuit?
Look for a lawyer with experience in personal injury, particularly TBI cases. They should have a strong track record of successful settlements or verdicts, a thorough understanding of medical and legal issues related to TBIs, and the ability to provide compassionate support.
See other personal injury cases we’re currently taking on.
Do I have a Traumatic Brain Injury Lawsuit?
The Personal Injury & Traumatic Brain Injury Litigation Group at our law firm is an experienced team of trial lawyers that focus exclusively on the representation of plaintiffs in brain injury lawsuits. We handle this type of litigation nationwide and are currently accepting new Traumatic Brain Injury cases in all 50 states.
If you or a loved one have been involved in an accident and since developed a traumatic brain injury, you should contact us immediately. You may be entitled to compensation by filing a brain injury lawsuit and we can help.
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