What is traumatic brain injury?

Michael Roberts — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 12:39:15 GMT

A brain injury suffered in an accident may lead to devastating and disastrous consequences for an injured person and his or her family. Often, the true effects of a brain injury might not be apparent until long after the accident.

Patients who sustain brain damage often have experienced an altered state of consciousness, but doctors who specialize in this field explain that a person can have significant brain damage even if they have not been “knocked out” or completely lose consciousness.

An accident victim might initially be diagnosed with a concussion at the emergency room, or in a follow-up doctor visit.

Sometimes the effects of a concussion resolve over a short period of time. But in some instances the victim begins showing signs of personality change or difficulty with thinking, called cognitive impairments. He or she may or may not even initially realize that an injury of any seriousness has taken place and may not realize that his or her behavior is changing.

A recent case handled by our firm involved a client who, although shaken up in a wreck, did not realize any need for medical attention until his wife noticed that he was having trouble remembering things, and made him see a doctor a few weeks after the wreck. Unfortunately, he was later diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury, or closed head trauma, and his impairments turned out to be progressive, gradually getting worse over time, and permanent.

If you suspect a loved one has experienced any type of impact involving the head and observe behavioral changes, such as difficulty with memory or personality changes, get them to a doctor or a hospital as soon as possible.

MLR/cb

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Michael Roberts

Gadsden Personal Injury Lawyer - Head & Brain Injuries

What is traumatic brain injury?