According to data compiled by Merck, brain injuries cause nearly 50,000 U.S. deaths and approximately 230,000 hospitalizations each year. Many victims suffer lifelong effects from these injuries, leading to medical and rehabilitative costs of more than $76 billion every year. Approximately half of all head injuries result from motor vehicle crashes.
Brain injury symptoms
Mild brain injury may include:
- Memory or concentration difficulties
- Minor loss of consciousness that can last up to a few minutes
- Headaches
- Balance and dizziness issues
- Nausea and vomiting
- Sensory difficulties, such as blurry vision or ringing in the ears
- Mood swings or sudden changes that can include sudden anxiety or depression
- Heightened sensitivity to audio or visual stimuli
- Sleeping difficulties
- Increased fatigue
Moderate and severe brain injuries can include all of the above symptoms and:
- Increased periods of unconsciousness
- Extreme confusion
- Slurred speech
- Heightened levels of aggressiveness or other abnormal behavior
- Worsening headaches
- Problems with coordination
- Loss of strength in the extremities, particularly the fingers and toes
- Vomiting, convulsions and seizures
- Pupil dilation
- Fluids draining from the nose or ears
Children’s symptoms
The greatest challenge facing the diagnosis of children who may have suffered brain injuries is that, unlike adults or teenagers, small children tend to lack sufficient communication skills to report what hurts them or how they were affected. Therefore, it is important for adults to watch for telltale signs, including changes to eating and sleeping habits, inconsolable bouts of crying, increased irritability, a shortened attention span, and apparent depression or sadness.
Following a traumatic brain injury, your first priority should be to see a doctor for diagnosis and treatment. Then, you should contact an experienced personal injury firm. Bell & Pollock can evaluate your claims and devise a plan of action to recover damages from potential third parties who may have caused the harm.
