Dear Friend,
Traumatic brain injuries can be devastating. In today’s blog, we’ll talk about what happens to your brain in the event of a TBI and what you should do if you suspect you or a loved one has experienced one.
Your brain is the command center of your body, controlling your emotions, intelligence, motor skills, and interactions with the world. A traumatic brain injury (TBI) can drastically alter who you are. A calm, mild-mannered person can become prone to anger and emotional outbursts post-injury. TBIs can also impact your ability to learn, remember, and perform daily tasks like driving or paying bills. Recognizing the severity and implications of these injuries is crucial.
Brain injuries fall into two primary categories: traumatic and acquired.
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
These occur due to an external force to the head, often resulting from car accidents, falls, or workplace incidents. TBIs can be classified as open (involving a skull fracture) or closed. Key types of TBIs include:
- Concussions: The most common type, concussions are caused by direct hits to the head, such as from falls, punches, or whiplash. Symptoms may include loss of consciousness, confusion, and fatigue. If a concussion is suspected, seek medical care immediately to prevent permanent brain damage.
- Contusions: Similar to concussions but involving localized brain bleeding. These injuries often require surgery to prevent the formation of lethal blood clots.
- Diffuse Axonal Injuries: Caused by severe shaking or rotational forces, these injuries can tear brain tissue and disrupt neurochemical processes. They often lead to permanent damage, coma, or death, affecting memory, motor skills, and more.
- Penetration Injuries: These occur when sharp objects pierce the skull and brain, resulting in catastrophic, often fatal consequences. The long-term effects can be devastating.
Acquired Brain Injuries
These result from internal factors like strokes, toxic exposure, or oxygen deprivation (such as from drowning). Anoxia or hypoxic injuries happen when the brain is deprived of oxygen, causing cell death and severe damage. Sometimes, acquired brain injuries are preventable and occur due to medical negligence, such as delayed or improper treatment during a stroke.
Immediate Steps After a Brain Injury
If you or a loved one suffers a brain injury, the clock is ticking, and every second counts:
- Seek Medical Attention: Prompt medical care can minimize damage and improve outcomes. Call an ambulance. Get to a hospital.
- Call my office: Let me help. Almost the second the injury occurs, dozens of important legal factors are at play. The faster we speak, the better. If someone else’s negligence was to blame for your injuries, I want to make sure you know your rights and the best move to take in the situation. Compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other related expenses should all be considered.
If you or a loved one has suffered a traumatic or acquired brain injury, don’t delay in seeking both medical and legal assistance. To discuss your legal options and ensure you are fully informed, give me a call at 703-761-4343 or 301-949-1515.
Until next time, please be safe and NEVER text while driving!
Sincerely,
Paul Samakow
Attorney Paul Samakow
703-761-4343 or 301-949-1515