One of, if not the worst, type of injury that an individual can suffer from during an accident is a brain injury. Brain injuries are complex because they are not tangible and the injury itself is unseen. Sometimes brain injuries manifest themselves in obvious ways such as when a person experiences personality changes, lack of balance, depression, anxiety, diminishing intellectual capacity, etc. Some injuries are subtler or they appear over time which can be an upsetting ordeal for victims and their families.
Because of the relative invisibility of brain injuries, it is easy for them to be looked over or minimized by insurance claims adjusters and even the courts. Thus, it is essential that you retain an experienced brain injury attorney if you sustained this type of trauma during an accident. These types of cases need to be handled delicately but with persistence so that your injuries are not overlooked or minimized. If you are suffering from a brain injury due to the carelessness, recklessness, or negligence of another, call Prosper Shaked Accident Injury Attorneys PA today.
Brain Injury Signs and Causes
Brain injuries can manifest themselves in a number of ways. Some victims experience symptoms immediately after an accident, and others do not feel the effects for a few days or even weeks and months. These types of injuries range from mild to debilitating and severe. Below is a list of common symptoms and effects of brain injuries:
- Headaches
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Loss of coordination
- Sensitivity to light
- Vision problems
- Speech problems
- Amnesia
- Concentration problems
- Bleeding in the head or brain
- Comas
- Changes in appetite
- Mood and personality changes
- Ringing in ears
- Confusion
- Changes in sleep patterns
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Death
A common misconception is that a person must be physically struck in the head in order to experience a brain injury. On the contrary, a very common way that people develop traumatic brain injuries is through whiplash which can cause hernias, axonal tears and blood clots in the brain. An individual can experience traumatic brain injuries in a wide variety of accidents. Some of the most common types of cases that involve brain injuries are:
- Car accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Construction injuries
- Truck accidents
- Medical malpractice
- Nursing home falls
- Hospital falls
4 Myths About Traumatic Brain Injuries
There are several myths surrounding traumatic brain injuries that many people believe to be true. Even with the rapid progression of modern medicine and science, the brain and its functions remain somewhat of a mystery. How long recovery takes and to what extent an individual can recover from a traumatic brain injury is very hard to predict and must be assessed on a case by case basis. Below is a list of the most common brain injury myths:
- You can’t suffer from a brain injury if you don’t lose consciousness – This idea is false. Not all brain injuries involve someone being knocked out or even struck in the head as previously discussed. Medical testing is the best indicator of whether a brain injury has occurred.
- If a person seems fine, they are fine – Not true. The tangible effects of a brain injury, i.e. physical trauma to the brain itself, are unseen because the brain resides inside the human head. An individual may look “fine” on the outside but may still suffer from intellectual, emotional, social, and/or physical issues.
- If a CT scan does not show a brain injury, then there is no brain injury – Also false. CT scans and MRIs show the structure of the brain and can often detect the presence of brain bleeds. A test can appear “normal” while a person has in fact sustained cognitive injuries.
- It is impossible to recover from a brain injury – Incorrect. Some brain injuries do cause permanent damage. However, there are many cases in which individuals recover and go on to live happy and healthy lives.
Miami Brain Injury Attorney Offering Free Consultations
It is important to remember that no two brain injuries are the same. Force of impact and location are major factors in predicting the longevity of brain injury aftereffects. When someone has suffered a brain injury due to the carelessness or negligence of another, expensive medical bills often pile up faster than usual. Treating a brain injury usually involves seeing specialists, counselors, and sometimes occupational therapists.
If you or a loved one have suffered a traumatic brain injury, it is imperative that you consult with an attorney to see what your options are for compensation going forward. Suffering from the symptoms of a traumatic brain injury on top of trying to organize your finances and paperwork is more than most people can bear. Let the Prosper Shaked take some of this stress off your plate and fight to get you the compensation you deserve. Call our offices at (305) 694-2676 today for a free and confidential consultation.