Violent head blows cause traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). Some TBIs are acute, others are “mild” or “moderate.” Although “mild” TBIs are less severe, they’re still dangerous. If you’ve suffered a brain injury, you need to contact an Atlanta brain injury lawyer.
Our Atlanta personal injury lawyers have successfully represented brain injury victims for decades. We’ll deliver the best customer service and the greatest result. Our prior victories and our 5-star client reviews validate that promise.
Call us today at (404) 939-9470. Also, you may fill-out our online contact form to schedule a free case review with an Atlanta brain injury lawyer. If you’ve got questions, we’ve got the answers.
Common Traumatic Brain Injury Causes
Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are often caused by catastrophic events. The most common incidents are car accidents, slip and falls, and gunshots. Gunshot brain injuries are usually fatal. In fact, victims that suffer gunshot head wounds die 90% of the time.
“Open” head injuries occur when objects penetrate the skull. “Closed” head injuries occur when there is a non-penetrating brain injury. Closed head injuries cause focal damage and diffuse axon damage.
TBIs also occur when the body’s internal organs fail as the result of a catastrophic incident. For instance, if a victim suffers a heart attack or a respiratory failure, their brain may lose oxygen. When the injured victim’s brain is oxygen-depleted, the victim may suffer an irreversible brain injury that causes memory loss and cognitive deficiencies.
Deceleration Injuries and Diffuse Axonal Injuries
The skull’s thick surface protects the brain’s soft tissues from light impacts. However, if the skull strongly collides with a stationary object, it will cause the “fingerlike” axons on the brain’s neurons to rapdily stretch and compress. Those overstretched neurons may “tear” or “shear” which causes the neurons to die. Severe brain injuries are characterized by a great amount of axonal shearing and neuron death.
Traumatic Brain Injury Prevention
Parents should always buckle their children into safety seats. Make sure the child’s safety seat is age and size appropriate. Adults should also always wear seat belts.
Motorcyclists and bicyclists should wear helmets to protect their heads. Construction workers, contact sport athletes and equistrians should also wear helmets.
Senior citizens can reduce their TBI risk by removing tripping hazards such as clutter and loose rugs. They should also use non-slip mats in bathrooms and install grab bars next to showers and toilets.
Everyone can reduce their accident risks by improving their home lighting and exercising to improve muscle strength and balance.
Traumatic Brain Injury Symptoms
Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) cause many physical and psychological side effects. Sometimes TBI symptoms don’t emerge until a few weeks after the incident.
Mild Traumatic Brain Injuries
80% of TBIs are “mild”. Contrary to what you might think, “mild” TBIs are serious injuries. In fact, they require emergency medical care. If untreated, they cause permanent cognitive deficits or death.
Mild TBI symptoms include:
- Lost consciousness
- Post-traumatic amnesia, confusion and disorientation
- Sleeplessness
- Nausea and/or vomiting
- Light sensitivity and impeded speech
If you suffered a concussion, you may have a mild TBI.
Severe Traumatic Brain Injuries
Moderate to severe traumatic brain injuries often cause extensive unconsciousness. Other victims experience headaches, seizures, weakness and numbness in the fingers and toes, reduced coordination, and dilation in one or both pupils. If someone you love is confused, agitated, or speaking with slurred speech after an accident, they may have suffered a moderate to severe TBI.
Child TBIs
Young children may be unable to communicate their brain injury symptoms. Observable child TBI symptoms include changes in eating habits and nursing habits, persistent crying with little success of consolation, lack of concentration, depression, changes in sleeping habits, or lost interest in favorite play toys.
Elderly TBIs
Although the elderly are more active and healthier than they were several generations ago, they still are more injury prone than younger adults. Traumatic brain injuries also tend to have a high mortality rate in the elderly. Make sure your elderly family member wears a device that they can use to call 9-1-1 if they fall.
An Atlanta Brain Injury Lawyer Can Help You
If you or someone you love is experiencing TBI symptoms following an accident, you should immediately seek medical attention. Then, you should call an Atlanta brain injury lawyer.
Call us today at (404) 939-9470. Also, you may fill-out our online contact form to schedule a free case review.
