Traumatic Brain injuries can be one of the more difficult cases to present to a jury, simply because the injury can’t be visualized. Fortunately, we have developed winning strategies for head injury lawsuits. We have helped many brain injury victims win multi-million dollar settlements. Talk with a brain injury lawyer at Baumgartner Law Firm. Never a charge for a case consultation. Call 281-587-1111!
Brain injuries can be some of the most difficult life events. They might result from a number of accidents or events, such as:
Brain injuries may be open or closed injuries. Open head injuries are those that result in an actual puncture wound or break, in the skull. A closed head injury occurs when the skull is not broken or punctured, but the brain is otherwise damaged. An example is a concussion where the brain strikes the inside of the skull.
Both types of brain injury can be severe to life-threatening. All minor, moderate, and severe head injuries bring the possibility of expensive medical care. Brain injury patients may also be unable to work for some time as a result of the injury, which puts additional strain on finances.
However, you do have options when you or a loved one has suffered a severe brain injury that another party caused. Our experienced personal injury lawyers can help you explore the options available to you and collect the right evidence to establish your case.
What are the symptoms of a brain injury?
One has to be especially careful when a closed head injury or traumatic brain injury is suspected. Symptoms may not show up immediately after the accident. Often, symptoms show up only after an hour or even days after the event.
Because of the dangers inherent with a traumatic brain injury, getting medical help after a sharp blow to the head is always recommended. Numerous tests can be performed, which will help diagnose a traumatic brain injury (TBI). These tests include a CT scan, speech pathology testing, neuropsychological tests, and others.
Here are some of the classic symptoms of a brain injury:
- Headaches
- loss of consciousness
- Confusion or forgetfulness
- nausea or vomiting
- personality changes
- slurring your speech
- balance issues
- mood swings
- memory loss
How TBI is diagnosed?
Traumatic brain injuries are diagnosed with reference to the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS). The GCS is an objective measure of a person’s functioning ability in three areas:
- Speech ability
- Ability to open the eyes
- Ability to move
Medical professionals rate a person’s responses in these three categories and come up with a total score for the person. A score of 13 or higher usually means a mild traumatic brain injury. A score of nine up to 12 indicates a moderate brain injury. Eight and below shows a severe head injury.
Usually, the Glasgow scale is completed on the way to the hospital after an accident. The testing will be repeated throughout a person’s hospital stay. Medical authorities indicate there may not be a correlation between Glasgow, scales, and a person’s ability to recover.
A TBI is considered a mild injury if,
The person did not lose consciousness or was unconscious for less than 30 minutes.
Memory loss was one day or less.
The GCS was 13 to 15.
A moderate traumatic brain injury is:
The person was unconscious for over 30 minutes in less than 24 hours.
Memory loss from one day to a week.
GCS of 9 to 12.
A severe TBI is:
The person was unconscious for more than one day.
Memory Loss for more than a week.
GCS of eight or lower.
