Traumatic Brain
Injury: The Silent Epidemic
For years, traumatic brain injury was known as the “silent
epidemic” because injuries often went untreated or ignored. Though patients
often complained of memory loss or gradual decline of mental abilities, accident
victims were ignored or sidelined.
Many victims went uncompensated and suffered tragic
impairments from accidents that could have been prevented.
However, as more research developed, victims who have
suffered brain injury have acquired a voice in legal proceedings. Research revealed
how an acquired brain injury can affect an accident survivor. In recent years,
the need for attorneys with experience in brain injury has grown tremendously.
What is an acquired
brain injury?
Brain injuries are caused by trauma, neurotoxins, vascular
disorder or anoxia. These injuries can happen due to a number of reasons, most
of them involving accidents. For example, potential victims can acquire damage
to their brain through:
- Automobile, truck, bus, motorcycle, and other vehicle accidents
- Sports accident
- Work-related injury
- Violence
- Crime
Closed head injuries
Brain damage is classified under two different types:
Primary damage and secondary damage.
Primary damage is
a brain injury that results directly from the force of the trauma.
Secondary damage
is injury caused by other factors, like increased pressure within the skull or
reduced blood flow to the brain.
In a closed head
injury, the brain is damaged without penetration or breech of the skull.
Most head injuries occur when the victim is involved in
rapid acceleration such as when a car rapidly accelerates and then stops after
striking an object or another vehicle.
Symptoms of brain
damage
Brain damage can affect your way of living permanently and
catastrophically. The symptoms that occur can be life-altering and it is best
to seek medical attention and legal advice immediately after a brain damaging
accident.
Some symptoms you can look out for that will tell you whether or not
you have brain damage are:
- Loss of consciousness
- Loss of memory immediately before or after the accident
- Alteration in mental state
- Loss of ability to focus
It is essential that you get immediate help if you suspect
damage to your brain. Get medical attention as soon as possible.
If you think you are eligible to file a claim for your brain
damage, do so as soon as possible. Many deadlines are involved in claiming compensation
for injuries after an accident. Speaking to an attorney about your injury is
something you must do as soon as possible after an accident so that you can
receive full compensation for your injuries.
