Traumatic brain injury – or TBI – can be defined as a disruption of normal brain function caused by a blow to the head or a penetrating head injury. The severity of a TBI can range from a mild, temporary concussion to an extended loss of consciousness and amnesia. Some of the leading causes of TBI are falls, motor vehicle accidents, sports injuries, violence, and self-harm.
If you or someone in your family suffered a TBI in an accident, consider contacting a New Port Richey traumatic brain injury lawyer. With help from a personal injury attorney, you may be able to obtain monetary damages to cover your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.
Traumatic Brain Injury Symptoms
A New Port Richey traumatic brain injury lawyer could represent a plaintiff with any number of different symptoms characteristic of TBI. The medical community typically categorizes TBI symptoms as follows:
Mild
A mild traumatic brain injury is often called a concussion. It generally does not result in loss of consciousness, but when it does, loss of consciousness generally lasts less than 30 minutes. Other symptoms of mild TBI include dizziness, headache, troubling remembering new information, blurry vision, ringing in the ears, and difficulty sleeping.
Moderate-to-Severe
TBI symptoms lasting for 24 hours or more are characteristic of moderate-to-severe TBI and often indicate an urgent medical problem. The symptoms of a moderate-to-severe TBI mirror those of a mild TBI but are generally more pronounced and longer-lasting.
All forms of TBI – whether mild or moderate-to-severe – involve clearly discernable cognitive and physical changes in the victim. Often, TBI victims exhibit short-term-memory problems, demonstrate difficulty concentrating, and find it hard to complete tasks requiring systematic thinking. Physical symptoms include slurred speech, vomiting, pupil dilation, and convulsions or seizures.
Causes of TBI
Nearly any type of blow or penetrating injury (e.g., gunshot wound) to the head can cause a traumatic brain injury. A New Port Richey TBI attorney could, for example, pursue compensation on behalf of a plaintiff who suffered a TBI as a result of any of the following:
Fall
Falling is a leading cause of traumatic brain injury, particularly among older adults and young children.
Auto Accident
Motor vehicle collisions, as well as those involving motorcycles, bicycles, and pedestrians, are another leading cause of TBI.
Violence
Gunshots, domestic violence, and child abuse are often blamed for causing traumatic brain injuries. Shaken baby syndrome is a form of TBI found in infants caused by violent shaking.
Sports Injury
The link between TBIs (especially concussions) and football is well known. Many other sports can cause participants to sustain a traumatic brain injury as well, such as hockey, gymnastics, skiing, snowboarding, and equestrian activities.
Contact a New Port Richey Traumatic Brain Injury Attorney Today
The effects of TBI can range from being relatively mild and temporary to cognitively and physically disabling and long-lasting. If you or someone you love was diagnosed with TBI, a New Port Richey traumatic brain injury lawyer could help you explore your legal options. Compensation may be available if the injury was caused by the negligent or reckless conduct of another party.
