Brain injury, also known as Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is unfortunately common. In the US each year, 1.4 million people experience a new brain injury, with approximately 5.3 million people living with brain injury at a given time. Around 75% of TBI seen across American emergency rooms are mild cases, however 70,000 of TBI cases have permanent damage. In a government study they found that motor vehicle collisions accounted for almost 62% of TBIs, almost 30% resulted from falls or other accidental actions, and over 6% resulted from violent assault.
Brain Injury and the Danger Signs
Traumatic brain injury occurs when the head is impacted by an object or structure, causing damage to the brain by slamming the brain within the skull, or penetration occurring through the skull by a foreign object. Brain injury occurring without head injury happens less frequently and can be more difficult to prove liability. Mild brain injury may only involve short term loss of consciousness, including concussions, while severe TBI can cause life-long damage including coma and loss of memory. It might be difficult to know how much of a brain injury you may have suffered until later. It’s important that you are checked again as soon as you exhibit any of the symptoms of a concussion or of other more serious brain injury. Anything on the following list could be a sign of an undetected underlying TBI. If you see any of these signs in yourself or a loved one after an accident or blow to the head, they need to be checked out immediately:
- Headache or blurry vision– may be accompanied by unfocused thinking, irritability and sleepiness. Loss of consciousness could be serious. Check to see that each eye has matching pupil size.
- Nausea or vomiting– may be accompanied by sadness and sleepiness.
- Light or noise sensitivity– may cause poor concentration, high emotions, insomnia.
- Tiredness & lack of energy– look for signs of short-term memory loss, nerves or anxiety; difficulty recognizing places or people.
- Slurred speech– symptoms may also include convulsions, unusual behavior, confusion, and physical weakness.
Brain injuries can lead to long years of disability, medical bills, loss of income, additional expenses, disrupted lives for the victim and their families. The last thing a victim of TBI needs is to worry about how they will pay bills and get on with life. They need someone to help them understand their rights and figure out what compensation they may be entitled to. If you experience a brain injury in Merced, you’ll need to consult with attorneys who will take the time to walk you through the claim process with compassion and zeal. The Maison Law Firm knows the local ordinances, state laws, who to talk with and how to investigate the incident connected with your injury. They will work tirelessly to see that you are compensated for the damages you are entitled to. Contact us to schedule your free consultation as soon as possible to secure your rights.
