Why Brain Injuries Should be Taken Seriously

Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) involve trauma to the brain, usually as a result of a sudden force or impact to the head, such as those that commonly occur during car accidents, falls, and other similar accidents. The brain can also experience trauma when it rapidly accelerates and decelerates within the skull, even if there is no direct impact to the head.

While modern medical science has come a long way in understanding many mysteries of the human brain, there remains a lot we simply do not know, especially when it comes to how the brain responds to trauma and how it repairs itself. Because of this, and because brain injuries have the potential to significantly alter the lives of victims in profound ways, head and brain injuries should always be taken seriously.

At Clark, Fountain, La Vista, Littky-Rubin & Whitman, our Florida personal injury attorneys understand the unique issues involved in brain injury cases, as well as the unique needs of victims. When working with victims who have suffered head injuries in an accident or as the result of a defective product, we always advise that they seek medical attention if they have not done so already.

If you or someone you love has recently suffered a head injury in a preventable accident, medical attention should be a top priority. Here are a few reasons why:

• “Minor” injuries can turn serious – Medical experts resoundingly agree that even minor head injuries can turn out to be serious and life-threatening brain injuries, even if victims think they are fine in the initial period following an accident. This is due to the potential for bleeding of the brain. When left unaddressed, a seemingly minor brain injury can quickly progress, cause pressure to build within the skull and the brain to swell, and pose fatal risks. Medical professionals refer to this condition as “talk and die” syndrome because a victim’s health can rapidly decline. Even when the brain is bruised and there are no symptoms or signs of bleeding at first glance, tiny undetectable traumas in the brain can develop into larger problems.
• Pain and symptoms are not the only indicators of injury – Some people who hit their head in accidents may feel lucid and normal following the injury, and feel little pain or symptoms. Even if you seemingly feel normal, it is very important to take your head injury seriously, as there may be issues you are not aware of, such as brain hemorrhaging. Even if you don’t suspect an injury or head fracture, a doctor can conduct diagnostic tests to rule out more serious issues and intervene should there be the risk of epidural hemorrhage.
• External injuries don’t predict TBI – Whether or not you suffered an external injury to your head, such as abrasions, cuts, swelling, or fractures, should not be a factor in whether you need to seek medical attention. Brain injuries can still occur without physical signs of injury. They can also occur without any impact to the head. For example, victims who experience whiplash injuries in car accidents may sometimes suffer concussions due to the brain accelerating within the skull.

When it comes to injuries involving the brain, it is important to remember that TBI can have an overwhelming impact on victims in both the short- and long-term. In some cases, injuries can lead to permanent impairment or disability. Because there are such serious risks involved with brain injuries, and because they can be unpredictable in how they impact different victims, you should never brush off a head injury simply because you feel fine, can tolerate the pain and symptoms, or don’t want to visit the doctor. Taking a brain injury seriously can mean the difference between life and death.

Following initial medical evaluations, brain injury victims may face recoveries that range anywhere from weeks to months, depending on the severity of an injury and how symptoms affect a person. These injuries can also prevent victims from working, or prevent them from performing the same types of job duties they once did. Fortunately, personal injury claims enable victims to recover these expenses and other losses, including any future medical needs, by holding negligent parties accountable for the harm they have caused.

Clark, Fountain, La Vista, Littky-Rubin & Whitman has extensive experience assisting brain injury victims during difficult times, and we fight aggressively for the compensation they deserve. If you have questions regarding a brain injury resulting from the negligent act of another or as a result of a dangerous or defective product, do not hesitate to contact our firm to discuss your potential case and rights during a free case evaluation.