A traumatic brain injury, or TBI, is a serious medical condition that can have lifelong effects on a victim. TBI is a major cause of death in the United States. It is responsible for an average of 190 deaths per day, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A victim can suffer a traumatic brain injury from a bump, blow or jolt to the head or skull.
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ToggleA traumatic brain injury describes damage to the brain due to an external source of trauma, such as force exerted upon the skull in a car vehicle accident, fall, sports incident, or assault. A traumatic brain injury can be classified as mild, moderate, or severe. However, it is often said that there is no such thing as a minor brain injury. All categories of TBI can have significant effects on a victim’s physical, cognitive, emotional, and behavioral functioning.
The brain can sustain numerous types of trauma-related injuries in an accident. The type of injury will depend on the circumstances of the event, the location of the injury, and its impact on the victim. Common types of brain injuries include:
Concussions are the most common type of TBI, as well as the mildest. A victim can suffer a concussion from a blow to the head, such as while playing a contact sport. Most victims can make complete recoveries from concussions, but some may experience lingering symptoms in a condition known as post-concussion syndrome.
Traumatic brain injuries are unique in that they do not have a standard set of symptoms that apply universally to all victims. The brain can react in a wide range of ways when injured. This is why it is important for any accident victim to see a doctor if the head or skull sustained an impact. An individual who suffers a TBI may exhibit some, all or none of the following symptoms:
For some victims, the effects of a traumatic brain injury will last for days or weeks with treatment, while others live with the consequences of a TBI for life. A severe TBI can inflict permanent changes on a victim’s lifestyle, such as the inability to work and live independently. Potential brain injury treatments include rest, pain-relieving medications, and surgery to relieve pressure inside the skull or remove blood clots.
If someone’s negligence, or the failure to use the correct amount of care, causes a traumatic brain injury, the victim can seek financial compensation for damages suffered through a personal injury claim in Connecticut. Holding someone financially responsible for a TBI could result in compensation for related past and future medical care, lost wages, lost earning capacity, permanent disability, pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and more.
For more information about pursuing a brain injury claim in Connecticut, contact the New Haven brain injury lawyers at Jacobs & Jacobs for a free consultation.