Brain Injury FAQ’s
According to the Centers for Disease Control[1] and Prevention, as many as 1.4 million Americans suffer a brain injury on an annual basis. Brain injuries can be caused by anything from a car accident to a fall in the shower to a sports-related accident at school. If a loved one has sustained a brain injury, there are some general terms that may be helpful to review.
What is a Florida Brain Injury?
Terms like “brain injury,” and “traumatic brain injury” are often used interchangeably and refer to some type of physical trauma to the head and brain that causes a disruption to the brain’s normal functioning. Brain injuries can range from mild to severe, and symptoms can range from subtle to very serious. Other terms associated with Florida brain injury include:
- Acquired brain injury. This is the name given to a type of brain damage that does not result from external physical trauma to the head. Acquired brain injury has an internal cause and results when brain cells are deprived of oxygen such as exposure to toxic substances and medication misuse. This type of injury includes all types of traumatic brain injuries and also brain injuries caused after birth by cerebral vascular accidents[2] (commonly known as stroke), and loss of oxygen to the brain.
- Concussion. A common type of traumatic brain injury is called a concussion, which is a violent shaking of the brain caused by a jolt or blow to the head.
- Closed head injuries. With a closed head injury such as whiplash, there is little noticeable damage to the head but damage to the brain can still be significant. A closed head injury is different from an open head injury[3], in that no object actually penetrates the brain.
- Head injury – mild/minor. Brief loss of consciousness for 15 minutes or less with a period of post-traumatic amnesia of less than 1 hour.
- Head injury – moderate. Defined as being a condition where the patient has been in a coma for 6 hours, and a period of post-traumatic amnesia of up to 24 hours.
- Head injury – severe. Defined as being a condition where the patient has been in a coma for 6 hours or more, or a post-traumatic amnesia of 24 hours or more.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). A scanning technique for producing high resolution images of the brain, which give much better detail than CT scans. MRI uses a strong magnetic field rather than X-rays to produce the images.
- Post-concussion syndrome. A group of symptoms occurring after a minor head injury that may persist for days, weeks or months.
- Post-traumatic amnesia (PTA). The period after being unconscious when there may be confused behavior and no continuous memory of day to day events.
What are Common Symptoms of Tampa Bay Brain Injury in Adults
A brain injury, even if it is minor, is a very serious condition, requiring immediate medical attention. If you believe that you or a loved one have sustained a brain injury, please seek medical attention as soon as possible. There are many symptoms of a Florida brain injury, including:
Adult Symptoms
- persistent headache
- inability to concentrate
- memory loss
- dizziness, fatigue or listlessness, changes in mood, behavior, or cognitive function (for example, trouble reading, thinking, speaking)
- nausea, and
- blurred vision
Child Symptoms
- listlessness or tiredness
- irritability
- changes in eating patterns, sleep, play, or school performance
- loss of interest in favorite toys or activities
- loss of new skills (e.g., toilet training)
- unsteady walking or trouble balancing, and
- vomiting
Contact a Tampa Bay Brain Injury Attorney
Symptoms of brain injury can take a while to appear, but seeking medical attention is important even in the absence of symptoms if someone has been hit on the head or otherwise suffered a trauma to the head. The effects of a brain injury can be dramatic and life-long causing temporary or even permanent injuries. If you have suffered a brain injury, it is important to speak to an experienced Tampa Bay brain injury attorney. At the Dolman Law Group in Clearwater, Florida, our team of highly skilled brain injury lawyers have helped many victims obtain the recovery they deserve for their injuries. Please call our office at 727-451-6900 today.
Dolman Law Group
800 North Belcher Road
Clearwater, FL 3375
(727) 451-6900
https://www.dolmanlaw.com/legal-services/brain-injury-attorneys/
References:
[1] http://www.cdc.gov/traumaticbraininjury/
[2] http://www.brainandspinalcord.org/traumatic-brain-injury-types/open-head-brain-injury/index.html
[3] http://www.biausa.org/FAQRetrieve.aspx?ID=43913
