Frequently Asked Questions About Traumatic Brain Injuries

1. What are the different types of traumatic brain injuries?

Accidents, such as motor vehicle accidents, slip and falls, workplace accidents, can cause a traumatic brain injury when the head is involved. These accidents can lead to blunt force trauma, a closed head injury, or a penetrating head injury. In addition, a brain injury may be caused by a lack of oxygen to the brain. This can be caused by drowning, choking, some toxic substances, and drugs. Below are the four (4) types that a person may encounter due to an accident.

Concussions

Concussions are the most common type of brain injury. They are also referred to as mild traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). Blunt force trauma and closed head injuries are common causes of a concussion. A person may strike their head on an object, or an object strikes their head.

When a person suffers blunt force trauma or a closed head injury, their brain “bounces” around their skull. The violent movement of the head causes the brain to shift. As the brain moves, it strikes the hard skull causing damage to brain tissues and blood vessels. Injuries may appear directly under the point of impact, on the opposite side of the head, or on both sides of the head.

Penetrating Brain Injuries

A penetrating brain injury is caused by an object penetrating the skull to enter the brain. A penetrating brain injury leads to bleeding and the death of brain cells. Complications from penetrating brain injuries include brain swelling, bleeding, blood clots, stroke, and loss of oxygen from lack of blood circulation in the brain.

Anoxic Brain Injuries and Contusions

An anoxic brain damage is caused by a lack of oxygen to the brain. Brain cells begin to die after about four (4) minutes without oxygen. Drowning is a common cause of anoxic brain injury. However, damage to the blood vessels caused by trauma could prevent oxygen from reaching the brain. For example, contusions occur when the brain strikes the skull causing bruises on the brain. Bleeding at the bruise site can cause the brain to swell. If the swelling cannot be relieved, the brain may experience a lack of oxygen.

Diffuse Axonal Injury

Diffuse axonal injury or DAI is similar to other types of brain injuries that begin with the brain shifting within the skull. The long connecting fibers are torn from the brain. The result can be severe brain damage in multiple locations on the brain and even result in a coma.

2. What happens if a person has a traumatic brain injury?

A Traumatic brain injury can have wide-ranging physical and psychological effects. Some signs or symptoms may appear immediately after the traumatic event, while others may appear days or weeks later.

When a person suffers a mild traumatic brain injury they might experience physical symptoms such as (i) a headache; (ii) Nausea or vomiting; (iii) fatigue or drowsiness; (iv) Problems with speech; and/or (v) dizziness or loss of balance.

Sensory symptoms such as (i) blurred vision; (ii) ringing in the ears; (iii) a bad taste in the mouth; (iv) changes in the ability to smell; and/or (v) sensitivity to light or sound may arise as well.

Cognitive, behavioral or mental symptoms can also occur. Symptoms can range from (i) loss of consciousness for a few seconds to a few minutes; (ii) no loss of consciousness, but a state of being dazed, confused or disoriented; (iii) Memory or concentration problems; (iv) mood changes or mood swings; (v) feeling depressed or anxious; (vi) difficulty sleeping; and/or (vii) sleeping more than usual.

When a person suffers a moderate to severe traumatic brain injury, signs and symptoms may appear within the first hours to days after a head injury. Physical symptoms may be (i) loss of consciousness from several minutes to hours; (ii) persistent headache or headache that worsens; (iii) repeated vomiting or nausea; (iv) convulsions or seizures; (v) dilation of one or both pupils of the eyes; (vi) clear fluids draining from the nose or ears; (vii) inability to awaken from sleep; (viii) weakness or numbness in fingers and toes; and/or (ix) loss of coordination.

Cognitive or mental symptoms of a moderate to severe traumatic brain injury can include (i) profound confusion; (ii) agitation, combativeness or other unusual behavior; (iii) slurred speech; and/or (iv) coma and other disorders of consciousness.

3. Can a traumatic brain injury heal?

Most studies suggest that once brain cells are destroyed or damaged, for the most part, they do not regenerate. However, recovery after brain injury can take place, especially in younger people, as, in some cases, other areas of the brain make up for the injured tissue. In other cases, the brain learns to reroute information and function around the damaged areas. The exact amount of recovery is not predictable at the time of injury and may be unknown for months or even years. Each brain injury and rate of recovery is unique. Recovery from a severe brain injury often involves a prolonged or lifelong process of treatment and rehabilitation.

4. Is life expectancy different after a traumatic brain injury?

Possibly. Recent medical studies have shown that individuals with a TBI die of some causes at a greater rate than individuals without TBI and that some of these causes of death may be preventable. They also found that on average, TBI appears to reduce life expectancy, on average, by about eight (8) years.

5. What is the expected recovery from a traumatic brain injury?

The prognosis for a mild TBI is usually better than for a moderate TBI, and the prognosis for moderate TBI is usually better than for a severe TBI.

With a concussion, a mild TBI, most people recover most or all of their brain function within 3 months following injury, with most recovering sooner.

With a moderate TBI, most people recover most or all of their brain function, although neurosurgery, occupational/physical therapy, speech/language therapy, psychological services, and/or social services may be needed.

With a severe TBI, it is hard to predict recovery because it depends on location of trauma, severity of the damage, length of time in coma, and many other factors.  However, long-term effects of the injury typically increase with the increased need for length of recovery.

6. Can I file a personal injury lawsuit if I suffer a traumatic brain injury?

Maybe. If your brain injury resulted because of another party’s negligence, intentional acts, or other wrongdoing, you may be able to recover economic damages and non-economic damages.  Of course, you must prove that the other party’s owed you a duty of care and then breached the duty of care. The breach was the direct cause of your brain injury and damages. That is why it is essential to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney after your accident to determine your ability to recover money damages.