Symptoms & Effects

As attorneys who regularly represent people who have suffered traumatic brain injury (TBI) throughout California, the lawyers at the California brain injury law firm of Bohn & Bohn, LLP understand that any head injury, however slight, should be examined for possible brain injury.  A brain injury is a serious condition which must be examined and treated accordingly.  Sometimes extensive testing and evaluation with sophisticated equipment is needed to identify bleeding in the brain, lesions, or other conditions which can cause severe permanent damage or even death if left untreated. 

Causes

Most brain injuries are caused by blows to the head in a fall or motor vehicle accident and will be apparent from obvious, external physical injuries, such as bruising, laceration, and skull fractures.  But brain injury can also occur from a severe shaking of the head, as may occur from whiplash in a rear-end collision, or from a lack of oxygen to the brain, which could occur from toxic fumes from a defective product or the negligence of an anesthesiologist.  The point is that a physical sign may not be always present or readily apparent.  There are many other factors which may be considered as symptoms of a brain injury, such as memory loss (amnesia), loss of concentration, or changes in personality.

Symptoms

Below is a list of signs and symptoms that may indicate a possible brain injury.  If you experience one or more of these symptoms in the days or weeks following a blow to the head or other traumatic event, you should see a doctor as soon as possible for a thorough examination.

• Loss of consciousness
• Nausea and/or vomiting
• Dizziness, light-headedness, lack of coordination or problems balancing
• Getting lost or easily confused
• Seizures
• Problems speaking, slurred speech
• Persistent headache or neck pain
• Ringing in the ears
• Blurred vision, double or fuzzy vision, tired eyes
• Changes in mood or sleep patterns, depression
• Increased sensitivity to light and sound
• Loss of sense of smell or taste
• Difficulty remembering, concentrating, or making decisions
• Slowness in thinking, speaking, acting, or reading
• Feeling sluggish, tired, listless, or unmotivated
• Dilated pupils
• Partial paralysis or numbness

Effects

Some of the symptoms listed above will signify brain injury, but will go away after a period of time.  Others may remain as permanent effects of the injury.  Although brain damage is commonly thought of as irreversible, with prolonged courses of therapy and rehabilitation, including occupational therapy and vocational rehabilitation, speech therapy, and psychotherapy/counseling, a great deal of brain function which is initially lost may be restored. Also, improved surgical techniques and new medications offer hope for significant improvement and favorable outcomes, especially if administered within hours of the initial trauma.

Some of the lingering effects of brain injury can include:

• Problems with cognition, such as memory and reasoning
• Difficulty in speaking or communicating or expressing one's thoughts
• Challenges with sensory processing
• Behavioral and mental health issues, including personality changes and depression
• Coma - a state of unconsciousness from which a person cannot be aroused.  A person may nevertheless spontaneously recover from a coma and regain consciousness after a period of time, from days to several years.
• Persistent vegetative state, in which the person retains a normal sleep-wake cycle and non-cognitive functioning, but otherwise remains non-communicative and unconscious as to his or her surroundings.

Contact Us Today

If you have experienced any of the above symptoms, see a doctor about possible testing and treatment for a brain injury.  If your injury was caused by the negligence of another, for example in an automobile accident, due to a defective product, or a fall on someone's unsafe property, you may be entitled to recover for your medical expenses and other damages.  Anywhere in California, contact Bohn & Bohn, LLP for a free consultation regarding you rights and a possible claim against those responsible for your injury.