Common reasons traumatic brain injuries happen

Our Atlanta traumatic brain injury lawyers are ready to handle any type of TBI or concussion case. Some of the more common causes for TBI are:

• Vehicle accidents. Passengers and drivers in trucks and cars are often thrown around the vehicles, strike the dashboard or sides of the vehicles, or hit other passengers. The head and skull can easily be jostled about or suffer a direct blow. Anyone in a vehicle accident should immediately see a family physician or emergency care doctor so a proper and timely evaluation can be made.
• Motorcycles and bicycle crashes. In motorcycle and bicycle cases, victims almost always come into direct contact with the road. Even riders with helmets who strike the ground headfirst are likely to experience some type of TBI.
• Birth injuries. Traumatic brain injuries can occur during the delivery process. This is especially true if the obstetrician or doctor has to manipulate the head with their hands or forceps to help deliver the baby. TBIs during deliveries can also happen if the baby is suffering from any fetal distress, such as losing oxygen to the brain.
• Medical malpractice. Physicians and staff should constantly monitor for any possibility of oxygen loss to the brain, the heart, and other vital organs. Even a few seconds’ loss of oxygen to the brain can cause a lifetime of suffering and brain impairment.
• Slips, trips, and falls. Anyone who slips due to liquids that haven’t been cleaned up, trips on inventory or equipment left on the floor, or falls because of torn carpets, unsecured stairways, or negligent security can suffer a blow to the head.

Our Atlanta traumatic brain injury lawyers bring claims against everyone who may have played a part in the TBI. This includes vehicle drivers and owners; doctors, hospitals, and surgery staffs; property owners and homeowners; and sports teams and schools that fail to protect their players.

Medical causes of TBIs

It is essential that doctors recognize any form of TBI and treat it as soon as possible. Many physicians fail to properly diagnose a concussion because CT scans and other diagnostic tests may not easily reveal it. Doctors should:

• Perform a cognitive assessment
• Take the proper tests, such as MRIs, CT scans, and other scans such as PET and SPECT scans if necessary
• Get a full family history
• Do a complete functional impairment assessment including checking for loss of bladder or bowel control

Concussions and TBIs can be caused by:

• A cerebral contusion. A cerebral contusion is the bleeding or brusing of the brain due to a blow to the head.
• Coup-contrecoup concussion. This type of TBI causes damage to the part of the brain where the impact occurred and a second part where the brain moved to because the impact forced the brain or skull to move.
• Diffuse axonal injuries. These types of TBIs happen when the head is shaken or rotated, such as due to shaken baby syndrome or a vehicle accident where the victim’s head can be thrust about numerous times. Victims of this type of TBI can suffer permanent loss of function.
• Penetration TBI. This kind of TBI is due to a direct trauma to the brain. Direct trauma can be due to violent force of any type, such as a vehicle accident or a bullet.

TBIs usually affect the skull as well as the brain. Bleeding in the brain is especially serious. If not treated properly, it can cause death.

Symptoms of Traumatic Brain Injuries

Violent impacts that cause the brain to move within the skull cause traumatic brain injuries. Some of the causes of TBIs include car, truck, and motorcycle collisions, explosions, sports injuries, physical abuse, and falls. A traumatic brain injury may require around-the-clock care. Victims often suffer severe psychological, physical, and cognitive difficulties. For most serious TBI victims, their injuries are life-altering.

The Atlanta traumatic brain injury lawyers at Harris Lowry Manton LLP offer comprehensive legal representation for TBI victims who were harmed by another’s negligence. Our lawyers have obtained some of the top settlements and verdicts in Georgia in personal injury cases. Part of the reason we are able to obtain high results is because we understand what law, facts, and arguments are needed to prove fault. Another reason is that we work with your medical professionals and independent doctors to determine the full scope of surgeries, rehabilitative care, occupational therapy, and psychological counseling that will be needed.

One of the first steps in pursuing a legal claim is obtaining an accurate diagnosis of the problem. Each TBI case begins with a proper assessment of the full range of signs and symptoms.

Signs of mild traumatic brain injuries

There are several levels of brain injuries. Different signs and symptoms are associated with each type. According to the Mayo Clinic, common mild TBI symptoms are separated into three categories:

Physical symptoms

• Temporary loss of consciousness
• Feelings of confusion, disorientation, or feeling dazed
• Headaches
• Insomnia and problems sleeping or excessive sleep
• Balance loss
• Fatigue
• Vomiting
• Nausea

Symptoms of the senses

• Blurred vision
• Ear ringing
• Light sensitivity
• Bad mouth tastes
• Changes in the ability to smell

Cognitive symptoms

• Difficulty concentrating
• Loss of memory
• Changes in moods
• Depression or anxiety

Symptoms of moderate or severe traumatic brain injuries

Indications of a moderate or severe TBI include:

Physical symptoms

• Loss of consciousness that is more than just temporary – it lasts for minutes or hours
• Headaches that persist
• Repeated nausea or vomiting
• Convulsions
• Seizures
• Eye pupil dilation in one or both eyes
• Ear or nose fluid
• An inability to arise from sleep
• Finger and toe numbness
• Difficulty with coordination

Cognitive or mental signs

• Deep confusion
• Speech that is slurred
• Unusual behavior
• Falling into a coma

TBI warning signs in children

Young children and babies often cannot communicate their complaints. Parents should observe the following indications. If the signs are apparent, medical attention should be sought immediately.

• Constant crying
• Inability to pay attention
• Depression
• Irritability
• Change in eating or nursing habits
• Difficulty sleeping
• Loss of interest in playing

Diagnostic tests

Diagnostic tests health care providers can use to diagnose a traumatic brain injury include exams that evaluate the functioning of the brain and nerves, as well as the patient’s consciousness level:

• Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS). This test measures a person’s ability to speak, to open his/her eyes, and the ability to move. The lower the score, the more serious the TBI is likely to be.
• Speech and language tests. Pathologists examine muscle control, the ability to use grammar, and the ability to read. Social communication skills and the ability to swallow are also analyzed.
• Cognition tests. These include the ability to think, solve problems, process information and memory. Neuropsychological tests assess cognitive behavior, brain behavior and sensory-motor processing.
• Imaging tests. These include computerized tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and intracranial pressure monitoring.

A proper diagnosis is essential to beginning the right course of treatment.

Get help from a caring and trusted Georgia TBI lawyer today

At HLM, our Atlanta TBI lawyers understand how scary a TBI can be for you or a loved one. We work with the victims and families to determine exactly why the traumatic injury happened, who is responsible, and what could have been done to prevent it. For answers to your questions and immediate help, please phone our Atlanta office at 404-961-7650 or our Savannah office at 912-651-9967. You can also complete our contact form. Your first consultation is free.

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