Information About Traumatic Brain Injury - By: Patricia Woloch

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) occurs from physical trauma to the brain. The head is violently hit or penetrated by an object in an accident or assault. The results of the injury can be devastating resulting in permanent disability or even death.

Recovery of a brain injury remains uncertain. Unlike other bodily injuries, the brain defines our personality, our mental abilities and emotions. And no two brain injuries are alike. Symptoms may appear immediately or may take weeks. Some victims may not even be aware they’ve suffered a brain injury.

The injury can be open or closed. The skull is not broken with a closed injury. The injury is diffused across the brain and is usually caused by an accident or fall. An open injury is more focal and is caused by an object such as a knife, a bullet or a bone fragment, penetrating the brain tissue.

Symptoms

The TBI victim suffers a myriad of symptoms depending on the severity of the damage to the brain.

• Headache, mental confusion, light headedness, dizziness, vomiting
• Blurred vision, ringing ears, metallic taste in the mouth
• Memory loss, trouble sleeping, fatigue
• Personality change, restlessness, agitation
• Seizures, slurred speech
• Loss of coordination, abnormal posturing
• Lose cognitive abilities including problem-solving skills and word finding difficulties.
• Loss of consciousness

Children ages 5 to 8 are one of the highest TBI at-risk groups. They’re symptoms are unique and may show the following signs:

• Persistent crying
• Inability to be consoled
• Refusal to nurse or eat

TBI victims with moderate and severe symptoms need immediate medical attention.

Causes

According to the Centers for Disease Control 50,000 people die from TBI each year. 85,000 victims suffer long-term disabilities from TBI, most of them elderly or young adults.

• For those 75 and older, falls cause the majority of head injuries
• Automobile, motorcycle, bicycle and pedestrian accidents cause half of the TBIs
• Nine out of ten firearm assaults causing TBI injuries result in death
• Wounded soldiers currently engaged in the Middle East are a fast growing segment of TBI victims

Prevention

Safety precautions are the best defense against Traumatic Brain Injury.

• Wearing a helmet when participating in risky sports
o Football, ice hockey, inline skating, baseball
o Skiing, snowboarding, sledding
o Bike and motorcycle riding
o Horseback riding, rock climbing
• Wear a seatbelt
• Don’t drive under the influence
• Prevent Falls:
o Use rails on stairways
o Provide adequate lighting
o Remove obstacles on stairs
o Install window guards on windows to keep children from falling out
o Use a step tool when reaching for items stored in high places
• Keep firearms locked up or ammunition unloaded and stored separately

About the Author

If you or a loved one is suffering from Traumatic Brain Injury in the Chicago area, please contact the law offices of Barry G. Doyle, P.C. today to schedule your initial consultation.

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