What are the Consequences of Traumatic Brain Injuries?

Whether a result of a car accident, sports accident or a slip and fall, traumatic brain injuries carry significant—and sometimes long-term—consequences. Anyone who experiences an injury to the head should be evaluated by a doctor for a traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Mild Traumatic Brain Injuries

TBIs are classified as either mild or severe. A brain injury is considered mild if the person loses consciousness and/or experiences disorientation for less than 30 minutes. In these cases, the MRI or CAT scan will usually appear normal, but the person will experience cognitive distress such as headache, memory problems and mood swings.

Mild TBI can be missed at the time of the accident, especially if the person has other more obvious injuries. However, even these “mild” incidents can have long-term effects. According to research, 15% of people who experience a mild TBI have symptoms that last at least one year. TBIs can also be difficult to diagnose, as the symptoms might not appear for days or even weeks after the incident.

Moderate to Severe TBIs

Moderate brain injuries occur when a person loses consciousness anywhere from 20 minutes to 6 hours. Loss of consciousness greater than 6 hours is considered a severe brain injury. These types of TBIs can affect a wide range of senses and behaviors. Some examples of consequences of moderate to severe brain injuries include:

  • Cognitive impairment: loss of attention, memory, mental processing, language processing and concentration
  • Sensory issues: difficulty interpreting touch, temperature and movement
  • Speech: slurred speech, problems reading and writing, difficulty speaking and being understood, difficulty understanding spoken words
  • Vision: partial or total vision loss, eye muscle weakness, blurred vision, issues judging distance, light intolerance
  • Hearing: hearing loss, ringing in the ears, sound sensitivity
  • Physical changes: chronic pain, sleep disorders, physical paralysis, appetite changes
  • Social: dependent behaviors, lack of motivation, aggression, depression

Any level of TBI can have an impact on a person’s life. Some TBIs might affect a person’s ability to work or care for dependents. TBIs with long-term effects also negatively affect a person’s quality of life. If you have suffered a traumatic brain injury—even a mild one—you should consider meeting with an attorney to discuss your case.

“Because TBIs often go undetected initially, it is important to pay attention for these symptoms in the weeks following an accident. If you think you might be suffering from a traumatic brain injury, seek medical attention right away,” said Attorney Walter Clark, founder of Walter Clark Legal Group.

Our firm has been handling personal injury cases throughout the California Low Desert and High Desert communities for over 30 years. With a 95% success rate, the California personal injury attorneys at Walter Clark Legal Group will fight to hold those responsible for your loss accountable and win compensation to cover medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. If you have been injured and want to discuss your legal options, contact us today for a free consultation with an experienced personal injury lawyer. We have offices in Indio, Rancho Mirage, Victorville, and Yucca Valley and represent clients through the entire California Low Desert and High Desert communities.

DISCLAIMER: The Walter Clark Legal Group blog is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended as legal or medical advice. References to laws are based on general legal practices and vary by location. Information reported comes from secondary news sources. We do handle these types of cases, but whether or not the individuals and/or loved ones involved in these accidents choose to be represented by a law firm is a personal choice we respect. Should you find any of the information incorrect, we welcome you to contact us with corrections.

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