People fall for many different reasons. Maybe you slipped on an icy patch in the parking lot outside of the grocery store or hit your head on the floor after tripping over a power cord at work.
While it may seem like all you suffered was a minor bump on the head, the truth is that any blunt-force trauma to your head, whether from a fall or some kind of work accident, could potentially cause a traumatic brain injury (TBI).
Learning the warning signs that you might have a TBI can help you get the treatment you need and hold the appropriate people responsible for the financial losses from your injury.
Know the warning signs of a brain injury
While severe brain injuries are obvious right away, mild ones are more subtle. If someone suffers a severe traumatic brain injury in a car crash or fall, they may slip into unconsciousness and become unresponsive. Moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injuries require emergency medical attention, but mild-to-moderate brain injuries aren’t always as easy to spot.
Some of the TBI symptoms may start showing up right after the injury, and others may take several days to develop. Some people even experience worsening symptoms weeks after the initial injury. Others may only notice the symptoms when they try to go back to work or school after they get hurt. Some of the warning signs of a TBI include:
- issues with your memory
- a persistent sense of confusion
- seizures
- blurry vision
- dizziness
- dilated pupils
- loss of consciousness
- a persistent sense of fatigue
- headaches
- nausea or vomiting
- changes in your mood or behavior
- sensitivity to light and smells
- restlessness or inexplicable mental agitation
- difficulty sleeping or waking up
- slurred speech
Anyone who notices some of these concerning symptoms in themselves or others may want to consider medical evaluation for a TBI.
Left untreated, TBIs will often worsen
The symptoms you experience because of a brain injury stem from both the traumatic injury to the brain and the pressure caused by bleeding or bruising afterward. You may need intensive medical care or to take a protracted leave of absence from work after diagnosis with a TBI.
There may be car insurance or workers’ compensation coverage to help cover your medical expenses and other losses, like wages you don’t earn during your convalescent period. Knowing your options can help you pursue a personal injury claim after a brain injury.
