TBI: When The Brain Is Injured
We all know that the brain is one of the most delicate organs in the body susceptible to injury in almost any kind of accident. But one thing that makes brain injuries so unique is that many injury victims—as well as jurors who hear their cases—do not understand the nature of traumatic brain injury, or TBI.
Why TBI Injuries are Unique
One thing that makes a TBI unique is that often, the injuries can’t be seen on any scan or X-Ray. Unlike a broken bone, you can’t always “show” a jury a brain injury on a diagnostic test.
Furthermore, many brain injuries manifest themselves as alterations in mood, behavior, or cognitive ability. These kinds of injuries or changes often don’t show up on any test, the way, say, a range of motion test would show loss of ability to use a limb.
Types of TBI Injuries
There are different kinds of injuries to the brain. One of the most serious may be a brain bleed. This often happens when the brain, having been rattled around in the skull because of the impact of the accident, bleeds when the brain hits the skull.
A brain bleed can be very deadly because it is often slow. The victim may not have symptoms immediately after the accident, and in fact, there may not even be any indication of a bleed on a scan moments after an accident.
However, as the bleed grows, it puts pressure on the brain—because of the skull there is nowhere for the blood to go. That pressure can build up and become deadly.
Other forms of TBI are more long term, less deadly, but just as debilitating. Someone may suffer alterations in mood, or increased anxiety. Their personality may change. They may have loss of memory, short term or long term.
These are not changes in behavior as a result of a physical injury the way someone may be depressed at their inability to go to work after an accident, or have anxiety thinking back to their accident. Rather, these are fundamental, chemical alterations on how the brain operates because of the accident.
Needs of TBI Victims
Sometimes injuries to the brain can get better over time. But in more serious cases, the person may need full time at home care—imagine someone with short term memory loss who may forget to turn off an oven, or who may lose a child, forgetting the child is outside. The victim may need special schooling if the TBI has impaired the ability to learn, process information or function.
Getting medical care for a TBI is vital, not just for recovery purposes, but to document the changes and disabilities that have been caused by the TBI. It will often take a long time before the true effects of a TBI are realized.
Call the Clinton personal injury attorneys at Fox Willis Burnette, PLLC, today for help coping with your injuries sustained in any kind of accident.
