What are the Physical Symptoms Associated with a Brain Injury?
The symptoms of a brain injury may not present until a few hours or days after the trauma occurs. A brain injury can result from a minor bump on the head, happening when two children knock heads on the soccer field. A traumatic brain injury (TBI) can be classified as anything from mild to severe.
If you or a loved one have suffered from a TBI, your life, without a doubt, has been altered significantly. Contact Leonard Legal Group today to schedule your free initial consultation. Allow us to afford you some peace of mind.
What is a Traumatic Brain Injury?
A traumatic brain injury is an injury that affects brain function. It happens when there is a direct blow to the head. This type of severe force to the head can cause the brain to swell within the skull, known as cerebral edema. The increase in pressure between the brain and the skull can prevent blood from flowing to the brain. If the brain is not receiving enough blood flow, brain cells will begin to die.
Common Injuries Associated with TBIs
In every TBI, there is a primary and secondary injury. The primary injury is the initial blow to the head, which can be the result of a fall, sports-related injury (most common in children), or a car accident (most common in adults). While a primary injury takes place at the moment of the traumatic event, a secondary injury is the body’s response to the initial trauma.
Common primary injuries:
- Skull fracture: breaking of the bony skull
- Contusions: bruising of the brain
- Concussions: low-velocity injury normally accompanied by functional deficits without pathological injury
- Lacerations: tears in brain tissue or blood vessels of the brain
- Diffuse axonal injury: tearing of nerve fibers in the brain’s white matter
Common secondary injuries:
- Ischemia: insufficient blood flow to the brain
- Hypoxia: insufficient oxygen in the brain
- Cerebral edema: swelling of the brain
- Increased intracranial pressure (ICP): increased pressure in the space between the brain and skull, which can result in parts of the brain being displaced (herniation)
- Meningitis: an infection that results in inflammation of the brain and spinal cord membranes (meninges)
Physical Symptoms
People who have suffered from a traumatic brain injury may experience either physical, sensory, cognitive, mental, or behavioral symptoms.
Symptoms will vary based on the severity of the head trauma:
Mild head trauma:
- Headache
- Nausea or vomiting
- Fatigue or Drowsiness
- Dizziness or loss of balance
- Memory or concentration problems
Moderate to severe head trauma:
- Prolonged loss of consciousness
- Convulsions or seizures
- Mydriasis (dilation of one or both pupils) or anisocoria (unequal pupils)
- Inability to awake from sleep
- Agitation, combativeness, or other unusual behavior
Brain Injury Attorney in Morristown, New Jersey
Your life changes in an instant when a loved one suffers from a severe brain injury. The attorneys at Leonard Legal Group believe that you need to be compensated fairly to put the tragedy behind you. Scott Leonard is a board-certified civil trial attorney and has been handling traumatic brain injuries for over 25 years and can help you get the compensation you deserve. Contact us to schedule your initial consultation at no cost to you.