Traumatic Brain Injuries May Be Overlooked as ‘Minor’ Head Bumps
Every year, approximately 1.5 million Americans sustain traumatic brain injury, ranging from mild to severe. About 75% of these injuries are classified as “mild.” 10% to 20% of those injured suffer unresolved, chronic post-concussive symptoms. The symptoms often include any combination of the following: chronic headaches, confusion, dizziness, blurred or double vision, light sensitivity, noise sensitivity, inability to multi-task, frustration, anger, word retrieval issues, short-term memory loss, loss of libido, nausea/vomiting, executive functioning and concentration issues, seizures, loss of appetite, slurred speech, ringing in the ears, and fatigue. Those persons unfortunate enough to not overcome these symptoms within twelve to eighteen months post-accident are referred to as the “miserable minority.”
Getting rear-ended in a low speed car accident, tripping on a raised sidewalk, falling and hitting your head, or having an object hit you in the head, even relatively lightly, are just some of the circumstances that can cause serious, permanent traumatic head injury. Such incidents often cause other, more immediately obvious injuries, such as open wounds, broken bones, strains and sprains, or lost limbs that demand and necessitate immediate attention. A closed head injury producing some of the cognitive and physiological symptoms noted above can often be overlooked, ignored, or present with delayed onset, while other, more immediate injuries are attended to, or while the brain injury itself develops, progresses and is understood. Along the same lines, the individual suffering traumatic brain injury, particularly one described as “mild,” most often looks well, even though he or she is not. The irony remains that even brain injuries described as “mild” remain denoted as “traumatic.” Any loss of cognitive function or insult to the brain is indeed traumatic and must be addressed, handled, and dealt with accordingly.
Having attorneys who are experienced in and understand the complex subtleties presented by traumatic brain injury cases, particularly in cases with unresolved post-concussive syndrome, ensures maximum recovery and that nothing, particularly a brain injury that may last the remainder of a lifetime, is overlooked. Allow our experienced and well-versed attorneys assist you if you or a friend or loved one has suffered a traumatic brain injury. From counseling, to familiarity with medical providers who understand how to treat such injuries, to the expertise and sophistication to present the complex intricacies of proving that someone with a brain injury who looks well but is not, we are here to help.