A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major cause of disability and death in the United States. In fact, 2021 recorded about 69,000 TBI-related deaths in the country. In Colorado, 5,000 individuals are hospitalized annually due to a traumatic brain injury, and as many as 1,000 people die. A TBI can be devastating as it results in physical, emotional, psychological, and financial difficulties. Victims may then file a personal injury or wrongful death claim against any negligent party to help them and their loved ones recover from such losses. 

What is a traumatic brain injury?

A traumatic brain injury is damage to the brain due to an external force. This type of medical issue can result from a forceful bump, blow, or jolt to the head or body, or from an object piercing the skull and entering the brain. Traumatic brain injuries can disrupt normal brain function and result in temporary impairments to cognition, comprehension, mobility, communication, and behavior. In more serious cases, TBIs may cause permanent disabilities and can be fatal.

Causes of traumatic brain injuries

Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) can occur due to several factors. The main causes include:

1. Fall: This is the major cause of traumatic brain injury in children and the elderly. A traumatic injury can happen when an individual falls after slipping or tripping on ladders, stairs, or any slippery areas.

2. Motor vehicle accidents: These include collisions involving cars, motorcycles, trucks, bicycles, or pedestrians. Auto accidents are one of the most common causes of TBI.

3. Sports and recreational activities: These involve people who are struck by or against an object. Sports and recreational activities include contact sports such as boxing, football, and hockey, and high-risk activities like skiing, skateboarding, or diving.

4. Assault or violence: This includes deliberate actions that can result in head trauma. A traumatic brain injury can occur in victims of physical and sexual assaults, nursing home abuse, domestic violence, child abuse, or gunshot wounds.

5. Workplace accidents: These involve construction or industrial incidents, falls from heights, explosive blasts, and being struck by objects while at work. Some people on duty may have a higher risk of traumatic brain injury, including construction workers, law enforcement and public safety officers, and miners.

6. Birth injuries: Brain damage from a birth injury can take place before, during, or shortly after the birthing process. Oxygen deprivation, and physical trauma from prolonged labor or improper use of delivery tools can cause traumatic brain injuries in newborns.

7. Medical malpractice: The negligence of healthcare professionals can cause a patient to suffer brain damage. Traumatic brain injuries can occur when medical care providers fail to recognize TBI symptoms, commit errors during brain surgery, or prescribe the wrong medications or dosages.

Types of traumatic brain injuries

Generally, medical professionals group traumatic brain injuries into two types:

• Penetrating TBI: A penetrating TBI takes place when an element pierces and breaks the skull, enters the brain tissue, and damages a part of the brain. It is also known as open traumatic brain injuries. A penetrating TBI occurs when a sharp object, like a knife, shrapnel, or bullet, hits an individual in the head.

• Blunt TBI: Another term for non-penetrating TBI is closed head traumatic brain injury, or blunt TBI. It typically does not fracture the skull. A blunt TBI happens when an object hits the head hard enough to make the brain bounce or twist around inside the skull. It occurs in motor vehicle accidents, falls, explosions, or sports activities.

In addition, healthcare providers categorized traumatic brain injuries as mild, moderate and severe. 

• Mild TBI: Commonly called concussion, a mild traumatic brain injury may affect your brain cells temporarily. Usually, there is no bleeding in the brain or a skull fracture. However, concussions may result in serious and long-term issues if not treated properly. 

• Moderate and severe TBI: Moderate and severe traumatic brain injury can lead to bruising, torn tissues, bleeding, and other physical damage to the brain. Most people with a moderate or severe traumatic brain injury can develop significant and permanent health problems or complications. They may require ongoing care and specialized treatment, such as rehabilitation services, to help with recovery and address the various impairments.

Symptoms of traumatic brain injuries

A mild traumatic brain injury does not always include loss of consciousness or lead to unconsciousness that lasts half an hour or less. The symptoms of a mild traumatic brain injury can develop right after the impact, or sometimes not for days or weeks. The common signs include:

• Physical symptoms
  • Headache
  • Lightheadedness 
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness or loss of balance
  • Fatigue or drowsiness
  • Speech problems

• Sensory symptoms
  • Blurry vision
  • Tinnitus or ringing in the ears
  • Problems with taste
  • Loss or changes in the ability to smell
  • Sensitivity to light or sound

• Cognitive symptoms
  • Confusion or disorientation
  • Loss of consciousness for a short period of time
  • Short-term memory loss
  • Concentration problems
  • Changes in thinking skills

• Behavioral or mental symptoms
  • Mood changes or mood swings
  • Depression or anxiety
  • Irritability 
  • Sleep disturbances
  • Excessive sleeping 

The symptoms of moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injuries are typically the same as the indications of a mild injury, but more serious and longer-lasting. Generally, moderate TBI causes unconsciousness that lasts more than 30 minutes but less than 24 hours, while severe TBI results in unconsciousness for more than 24 hours. Signs of moderate or severe TBI are the following:

• Physical symptoms
  • Convulsions or seizures
  • Loss of consciousness lasting hours
  • Persistent headache or worsening headache 
  • Repeated vomiting or continued nausea
  • Dilation of one or both pupils
  • Discharge of clear fluids from the ears or nose
  • Inability to awaken from sleep
  • Weakness or numbness 
  • Loss of coordination

• Sensory symptoms
  • Blurry vision
  • Double vision
  • Ringing in the ears, or loss of hearing
  • Bad taste in the mouth
  • Loss or changes in the ability to smell
  • Sensitivity to light or sound

• Cognitive symptoms
  • Profound confusion
  • Dysarthria or slurred speech
  • Slowed processing speed
  • Coma and other disorders of consciousness

• Behavioral or mental symptoms
  • Aggression, agitation, or other unusual behavior
  • Depression or anxiety
  • Irritability 
  • Inability to wake up from sleep

If a traumatic brain injury is caused by the negligent acts of another party, it is important for the victim to consult with a lawyer to know their legal rights and options. The victim has the right to obtain compensation for the physical, financial, psychological and emotional sufferings that they suffered due to the at-fault party. The claim can recover a settlement for the losses, including medical expenses, rehabilitation and lifelong treatment costs, lost income, and pain and suffering. This will help the victim recover and get the justice they deserve.

We at the Anzalone Law Offices understand that a traumatic brain injury can drastically change one’s life. Our skilled and passionate lawyers have extensive experience in handling traumatic brain injury cases and assisting victims to get the maximum compensation they are entitled to. Contact us today for a free case evaluation, and let us help you.