Brain injuries can be caused by anything from a car accident to a sports injury. Although as many as 1.4 million Americans suffer a brain injury each year, many are misdiagnosed or missed altogether.
This article, from the Daytona personal injury lawyers of Zimmet & Zimmet, presents an overview of brain injury information and what to do if you or a loved one has been in an accident resulting in brain injury.
Head or brain injuries refer to some kind of physical trauma to the head or brain that causes a disruption to the brain’s normal functioning. Brain injuries can range from mild to severe and be caused by only minor accidents. Unseen brain injuries are usually classified into two categories:
- “Closed” head injuries. Some brain injuries, like those caused by a sharp object penetrating the skull, are obvious. But “closed” head injuries are more difficult to notice, but damage can still be significant. Concussions are a common type of closed head injury. A concussion is a violent shaking or jarring of the brain and can result in permanent brain damage.
- Acquired brain injury. This is a type of brain damage that is not the result of external physical trauma but has an internal cause and occurs when brain cells are deprived of oxygen. Common causes of acquired brain injuries include near-drowning or suffocation, exposure to toxic substances, and medication misuse.
The symptoms of brain injury vary based on the type and severity of the damage. Some of the common symptoms of traumatic brain injury (caused by external trauma to the head) include:
- Persistent headaches
- Inability to concentrate
- Memory loss
- Dizziness
- Fatigue or listlessness
- Changes in mood, behavior, or cognitive function (e.g.: difficulty reading, thinking, speaking)
- Nausea
- Blurred vision
Symptoms can sometimes take a while to appear and so can be difficult to recognize and are commonly misdiagnosed or missed. This delay is common, so being vigilant is important after head trauma.
If you or a loved one suffered a brain injury after an accident, seek proper medical treatment and advice. Medical evaluation is also important if you are thinking of bringing a lawsuit for brain injury. Click here or call the Ormond car accident lawyer at Zimmet & Zimmet today at (386) 255-6400.
