(407) 712-7300What are some of the leading causes of brain injury?
The most common cause of brain injury is trauma due to an accident. The leading cause in traumatic brain injuries include:
More than 1.4 million people suffer some degree of traumatic brain injury each year. Of that total, approximately 50,000 people die, 230,000 are hospitalized, and 1 million are treated and released from the hospital. An unknown number of people who suffer a brain injury do not seek medical attention.
How can you tell if you have a brain injury?
Some of the signs and symptoms of brain injury include:
- Loss of consciousness
- Persistent headache
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- One or both pupils are dilated
- Cerebral spinal fluid is draining from the nose or ears
In many cases, the symptoms of brain injury do not appear for several days, even weeks. The trauma may affect a small blood vessel in the brain, which is not noticed until enough blood has entered the brain cavity to put pressure on the brain. Depending on the location, it can affect your memory, slur speech, or cause a strange taste in your mouth. In severe cases you could have seizures or slip into a coma.
What can happen if you damage your brain?
The immediate impact of a brain injury can be mild, moderate, or severe. In mild cases, you could loose consciousness for a few moments; feel light headed, and experience headaches. A moderate brain injury may affect your speech, your memory, or cause nausea or vomiting. More severe injuries can cause seizures, coma, or eventually death.
Over the long term, you may need extensive, even life-long rehabilitation before you fully recover from a traumatic brain injury. Many people never fully recover and suffer problems with motor skills and memory loss for the rest of their lives.
What should I do if I suspect a brain injury?
Seek medical attention right away. If you were not treated at the accident scene and taken to the hospital, you should schedule a comprehensive examination with your physician right away. Some brain injuries are hard to detect without the aid of advanced equipment.
Once you are examined, you should seek the services of an experienced personal injury attorney. Brain injuries will often affect you for the rest of your life. If the accident was not your fault, you should be compensated for your loss of physical and cognitive abilities.
How can you prevent brain injuries?
Unlike most brain disorders, brain injuries can be prevented. Here are some simple steps to help you minimize the risks of potential brain injury:
- Buckle up
- Wear a helmet when riding a motorcycle or bicycle
- Wear protective gear when playing contact sports
- Pay attention to your environment
- Avoid risky behavior altogether
If you believe that you or a loved one has suffered a brain injury, please call (407) 712-7300 or contact Colling Gilbert Wright online as soon as possible. We will evaluate your claim for free and work hard to ensure you get the compensation you deserve.
