Brain Bleed Head Injuries

An intracranial hemorrhage, or brain bleed is an injury that commonly affects those who have suffered head trauma. Upon suffering an impact, the blood vessels in the brain can become strained and eventually burst, causing blood to collect in the brain tissue or underneath the skull. If left untreated, intracranial hemorrhages can cause permanent brain damage and even death.

What is a Brain Bleed?

A brain bleed is a common symptom of accident-related head injuries that, as the name suggests, involves bleeding inside the skull. They can occur in two ways. One form involves bleeding inside the skull, but outside of the brain tissue. The other form, however, occurs when the bleeding is in the brain tissue itself. Both types are extremely dangerous and if left untreated, could prove fatal. Certain people are more likely to suffer from brain bleeds than others, including older individuals, whose blood vessels are often more fragile and prone to tearing.

What are the Symptoms of a Brain Bleed?

The symptoms of a brain bleed will vary depending on the severity of the injury, but many victims experience:

• Severe headaches;
• Nausea or vomiting;
• Changes in vision or balance;
• Drowsiness; and
• Slurred speech.

As more and more blood collects in the brain tissue or skull, a person may begin to experience other symptoms, like lethargy, a loss of consciousness, and even seizures.

Diagnosing and Treating Brain Bleeds

Someone who suspects that they suffered a head injury should undergo a physical examination from a medical professional who can check for signs of weakness or symptoms of trauma before ordering a CT or MRI scan. These scans will show any bleeding in the brain, but a person may also need to undergo additional blood tests and imaging of the blood vessels themselves. Brain bleeds, when diagnosed, often require surgical intervention to ease the pressure inside the brain. If, however, the brain bleed is small, a doctor may choose to observe it rather than immediately scheduling surgery. In these cases, the injured party will likely need to remain overnight in the hospital, where he or she will be fitted with a sensor to measure intracranial pressure and also be given medications to control symptoms.

Long-Term Consequences of Head Injuries

Unfortunately, even after being treated, brain bleeds can result in long-term complications for injured parties. For instance, if swelling wasn’t reduced in time, or blood flow to the brain wasn’t corrected immediately, an accident victim could suffer from permanent brain damage or impaired mobility. Victims also often require speech and physical therapy for years to come. Covering these costs can be difficult, especially for those who are no longer able to work because of their injury. In these cases, injured parties should consider recouping their losses from the at-fault party who caused their accident.

Contact Our TBI Lawyers Today

If you or a loved one suffered a brain bleed or other head injury because of someone else’s negligence, you could be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. To learn more about your own legal options following a head injury diagnosis, reach out to the experienced Fort Lauderdale traumatic brain injury lawyers at Boone & Davis today.

Sources:

my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/14480-brain-bleed-hemorrhage-intracranial-hemorrhage

mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/intracranial-hematoma/symptoms-causes/syc-20356145