Traumatic brain injury (TBI) can be life-altering, even if the initial accident or injury seemed like no big deal. There are many misconceptions about TBI, its causes, how to gauge seriousness and long-term impairment, and when a TBI is potentially life-threatening. If you are suffering from TBI symptoms, even if it has been months since your accident, you may have undiagnosed TBI.
Causes of Traumatic Brain Injury
TBI can be the result of a blow to the head or the body, or concussive force without physical contact. Common causes of TBI include:
- Auto accidents – including very minor crashes
- Motorcycle accidents
- Commercial truck accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Slip and fall
- Falls from heights
- Falling objects
- Sports injuries
- Recreational activities
- Assaults
- Explosions
- Shaken baby
- Nursing home falls
Symptoms of Traumatic Brain Injury
TBI symptoms may appear right away or they could take days, weeks, months or even longer to surface. Symptoms often come and go and people with TBI tend to have good days and bad days and may not realize that the problems they are experiencing are due to brain injury. Symptoms of TBI include:
- Behavior or personality changes
- Mood swings
- Unexplained anger
- Depression
- Substance abuse
- Disorientation
- Difficulty concentrating
- Difficulty completing tasks
- Memory problems
- Extreme fatigue
- Sleeping more than normal
- Difficulty sleeping
- Sensitivity to light or sound
- Ringing ears
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Lightheadedness
- Nausea or vomiting
- Seizures
Brain Injury Myths and Misconceptions
- Myth: A “mild” brain injury does not cause lasting problems. Truth: The term “mild” does not refer to the extent of the damage to your brain or your ability to recover function. It only refers to how long you were unconscious.
- Myth: If it didn’t “knock you out”, you’ll be fine. Truth: You can sustain a very damaging brain injury without losing consciousness, or without realizing that you lost consciousness.
- Myth: Once you wake up after losing consciousness, you’re out of the woods. Truth: Unfortunately, regaining consciousness does not mean you are going to be OK. In fact, the damage to your brain can continue to progress for several days and can become fatal.
To learn more about how you can recover full compensation for your TBI, please call the Law Office of J. Clay McCaslin at 503-239-1910 or contact us online right away.