What Are The Differences Between The Types Of Brain Injuries?

Denver Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyer

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) occurs when the skull is suddenly stuck by an object or the skull violently collides with an object.  This is referred to as a “closed head” injury and is often discovered in personal injury cases such as vehicle crashes, slip and fall accidents, and workplace accidents.

Often times there is no outward sign of injury to the brain.  A closed head injury is caused when the brain moves within the skull, violently striking the skull, causing damage to the brain.  It may be difficult to diagnose a closed head injury; however, this TBI can be just as dangerous as a penetrating brain injury.

A penetrating TBI is caused by an object penetrating the skull and entering the brain tissue.  It is very easy to diagnose due to the outward trauma to the skull. The damage from a penetrating brain injury is typically localized to the area of penetration, but not always.  Penetrating head injuries also occur in a variety of personal injury cases.

Both can be life-threatening.

Types of Traumatic Brain Injuries

Traumatic brain injuries are classified as mild, moderate, or severe depending on the degree of damage to the brain and the symptoms presented following the brain injury. Mild brain injuries cause disruptions in the normal function of brain cells; however, moderate and several brain injuries can cause torn tissues, bleeding, bruising, and other physical damage to the brain resulting in permanent impairments or death.

Mild Brain Injury
A mild TBI is the least severe brain injury. The symptoms of a mild brain injury resolve with time.  Symptoms of a mild TBI include physical, sensory, and cognitive symptoms such as:

• Loss of consciousness lasting a few seconds to a few minutes
• Headache
• Vomiting
• Drowsiness or fatigue
• Loss of balance and/or dizziness
• Blurred vision
• Sensitivity to sound and/or light
• Concentration and memory problems
• Mood changes
• Depression

Moderate and Severe Brian Injuries
A moderate or severe TBI may include any of the above symptoms of a mild TBI; however, one or more of the following symptoms are present immediately or within a few hours or days.

• Loss of consciousness that lasts several hours
• Headaches that persist or increase in severity
• Seizures and/or convulsions
• Loss of coordination
• Slurred speech
• Repeated bouts of vomiting or nausea
• Clear fluids draining from ears and/or nose
• Inability to wake up after sleeping
• Numbness or weakness in the toes and/or fingers
• Acute confusion
• Unusual behavior, combativeness, or agitation
• Coma or other permanent loss of consciousness

Diagnosing the Severity of a Brain Injury

Medical professionals use the Glasgow Coma Scale to determine the severity of a brain injury.  The assessment helps doctors determine a course of treatment.  Doctors may also use imaging tests such as a computerized tomography (CT) scan or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to check for damage to the brain.  Unfortunately, mild brain injuries may not be seen on these diagnostic tests. At the Law Offices of Dianne Sawaya we work closely with neuropsychologists, specialists who administer a test to quantity the injury to the brain.

How Can A Personal Injury Lawyer Help Me If I’ve Sustained a Brain Injury?

A personal injury attorney with experience handling TBI cases or brain injury cases understands the symptoms and treatments involved with a brain injury.  The attorney has worked closely with medical professionals in other brain injury cases; therefore, the attorney can help refer you to the medical professionals who can correctly diagnose and treat your brain injury.

The attorney also protects your right to receive compensation from the party that caused the accident that resulted in your brain injury.  Most brain injury patients have enormous medical costs and substantial lost wages due to the accident.  A personal injury attorney will help you recover those costs in addition to seeking damages for future costs, physical pain, emotional suffering, and the loss of enjoyment of life.

Contact an Experienced Denver Brain Injury Attorney

If you or a family member has suffered a brain injury due to the negligence, careless, or reckless behavior of another party, contact the Law Office of Dianne Sawaya, LLC to schedule a consultation to discuss your legal rights to receive compensation for your injuries.