The Trauma in Traumatic Brain Injuries
In the state of Florida, more than 210,000 citizens are living with devastating injuries after a brain injury and nearly 100,000 Floridians will experience a brain injury each year. While a traumatic brain injury may be caused by a number of reasons, one caused by the negligence of another may be one of the most devastating things that a person and their family may encounter.
What is a Traumatic Brain Injury?
The definition of a traumatic brain injury is one that occurs when an external mechanical force causes brain dysfunction. A traumatic brain injury usually is caused by a violent blow or jolt to the head or body, or an object penetrating the skull. The effects of a traumatic brain injury can vary depending on the severity of the injury. A mild injury may cause temporary dysfunction of brain cells. A more severe injury may cause bruising, torn tissues, bleeding, or other physical damage. No matter the severity, any brain injury should be examined and treated by a medical professional and many of these injuries require long-term care and treatment. The more severe injuries could ultimately result in long-term complications or death.
Symptoms of Traumatic Brain Injuries
Signs and symptoms of a traumatic brain injury may not occur right after a traumatic event and some may occur up to days or weeks later. That means that just because you or someone you know feels fine initially after an accident, symptoms could still appear in the days to follow. There is a wide range of physical and psychological effects that a person can experience depending on the severity of the injury, including:
- Mild Traumatic Brain Injury
○ Loss of consciousness for a few seconds to a few minutes
○ Headaches
○ Nausea or vomiting
○ Fatigue or drowsiness
○ Difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much
○ Dizziness or loss of balance
○ Blurred vision, ringing in ears, bad taste in the mouth or a change in ability to smell
○ Sensitivity to light or sound
○ Memory or concentration problems
○ Mood changes or mood swings
○ Feeling depressed or anxious
- Moderate to Severe Brain Injury:
○ Loss of consciousness for several minutes to hours
○ Persistent headache or headache that worsens
○ Repeated vomiting or nausea
○ Convulsions or seizures
○ Dilation of one or both pupils of the eyes
○ Clear fluids draining from the nose or ears
○ Inability to wake from sleep
○ Weakness or numbness in fingers and toes
○ Loss of coordination
○ Profound confusion
○ Agitation, combativeness or other unusual behaviors
○ Slurred speech
○ Coma and other disorders of consciousness
Contact an Attorney Immediately
A traumatic brain injury is a life threatening injury that could affect a person for years to come. Depending on the severity of the injury, a person may need help and care for the rest of their life. If you or someone you know suffered a traumatic brain injury due to someone else’s negligence, do not feel alone. Call the Fort Lauderdale attorneys at Boone & Davis and have professionals on your side working to get you the just compensation that you deserve.
