Testing & Evaluation

The attorneys at Bohn & Bohn have handled many brain injury cases across California and understand the critical role testing plays in an injured person's medical and legal recovery.

The extent of the damage resulting from a head or brain injury cannot be determined without extensive diagnostic testing.  Various scans can identify physical damage to the brain, but neuropsychological tests are required as well to determine how that brain damage will affect the person cognitively and functionally.

Physical Exams

There are actually a number of different methods available to view the structure of the brain and identify damaged areas.  Each test provides different views, so multiple tests may be required to get a complete picture of the injury.  Magnetic Resolution Imaging (MRI) and Computerized-Axial Tomography (CAT/CT) scans are both useful for detecting bleeding in the brain.  Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) can reveal damage to the brain's white matter. 

Functional Exams

Besides looking at the physical structures of the brain itself, there are many tests that can measure the level of brain activity and determine if it is functioning properly.  An electroencephalogram (EEG) measures electrical activity in the brain and can be used to diagnose levels of consciousness as well as the existence of any lesions.  Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) scans provide a map of the brain's vascular supply, and Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scans measure glucose levels in the brain.  Other functional exams include evoked potentials, which study electrical signals generated in the brain from external stimuli, and spinal taps or lumbar punctures, which look for the presence of blood in the body's cerebrospinal fluid.

Neuropsychological Testing

Although doctors can predict a great deal about how a person will be affected depending upon the physical damage caused to the brain, testing by a neuropsychologist will likely reveal the extent of the impairment in much greater detail.  A neuropsychologist is trained in the relationship between different areas of the brain and how they impact thinking and behavior.  There are literally dozens of tests which can be performed to gauge mental processing, memory, and cognitive functioning, including changes in behavior and mood, such as depression. 

Knowing what tests to give and when to give them is a key factor in the patient's rehabilitation, as well as the personal injury case.  Test results can be misinterpreted by doctors and misused by defense attorneys, if they are administered too early or too often.  While it is important for doctors, lawyers, and patients to be sensitive to these issues, neuropsychological testing remains an essential element of most brain injury diagnoses.

If you or a loved one has suffered a head or brain injury in an automobile accident or other incident, the right testing is vital to receiving the proper care, treatment, and rehabilitation, as well as proving the extent of damages in a personal injury lawsuit.  For advice and representation regarding your legal case, contact Bohn & Bohn, LLP today for a free initial consultation.