Posted by Gurjit Srai In Brain Injury March 6, 2023 0 Comment

Any type of head injury, regardless of degree of severity, can significantly impact all aspects of your life and the lives of your loved ones. Each year, about 2.5 million individuals suffer traumatic brain injuries (TBI), of which approximately 500,000 result in death, and over 800,000 suffer permanent disability. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the leading causes of TBI are:

  • Falls (28%)
  • Motor vehicle crashes (20%)
  • Being hit by or colliding with an object (19%)
  • Assaults (11%)
  • Others (12%)

If you suffered a head injury in an accident caused by the negligent or reckless actions of another party, that party may be liable for the victim’s injuries. It is important that you immediately take action to protect your legal rights. The most important step in doing so is to contact an experienced Stockton TBI injury attorney.

Types of Brain Injuries

Brain injuries are generally categorized into two categories: closed brain injuries and open brain injuries. Below is an overlook of each category:

  • Close Brain Injury. A closed head or brain injury happens when there is a blow to the head. For instant, a close TBI can happen when a car crash victim slams their head into the dashboard or window in a crash, or when a slip and fall victim hits their head to the ground or a hard surface. These types of blows can result in injuries to multiple areas of the brain.
  • Open Brain Injury. Open head injuries are commonly referred to as penetrating brain injuries because they happen when a foreign object penetrates through the skull and enters the brain. This results in severe injury to the skull, brain tissue, brain cells and blood vessels.

How to Identify and Diagnose a TBI

Identifying and diagnosing closed head TBIs can be difficult. The lack of often visible signs of trauma can deceive the victim and their loved ones. After a serious accident, health care professionals may not initially look for a closed head injury because there may be no present signs or symptoms. If you suffered a blow to the head in an accident, it is important that you ask your health care provider to do a thorough neurological examine to look for a possible TBI.

Most physicians use the Glasgow Coma Scale to determine the severity of a brain injury. This is a 15-point scale that measures a head injury victim’s ability to move their eyes and extremities, to follow directions, and to speak coherently. A higher score reflects a mild TBI, whereas a lower score reflects a more severe brain injury.

Medical professionals may also order brain imaging tests, such as CT scans and MRIs, to determine other indications of a brain injury, including:

  • Skull fractures
  • Bleeding
  • Blood clots
  • Bruised brain tissue
  • Brain swelling

Consult with a Stockton Brain Injury Attorney

If you or a loved one has suffered a traumatic brain injury in an accident that was caused by the negligent or reckless act of a third party, you may be entitled to monetary compensation. For more information or to schedule a free consultation with an experienced Stockton brain injury attorney, call the Srai Law Offices today at (209) 323-5558.