TBI Lawyers Discuss Common Head Injuries Suffered in Serious Falls & Auto Accidents
Whether you suffered a powerful blow to your head during a serious workplace fall, an auto accident — or while enjoying your favorite sport — always seek out medical help right away explains New York City TBI lawyer at the F&A injury law firm. Far too often, people assume they’re just a bit shaken up and then suffer major complications because they soon returned to work, stayed too long an accident scene or moved on to another activity.
Always remember that a person can suffer a blunt force head injury one minute, continue talking as though nothing bad has happened for a while – and then endure a traumatic brain injury (“TBI” or even a fatal brain hemorrhage.
Be Ready to Have an Emergency Room Evaluate Your Serious Head Injury
- If you’ve just fallen off a construction site scaffold and hit your head, never just assume you’re doing fine. Always notify a supervisor and consider making an immediate trip to the hospital. A concussion develops after your head takes a strong hit – or rams hard against an object. When this occurs, your head basically shifts around inside your skull. Assuming your injury is minor can cost you your life. Also, living through repeat concussions can cause permanent brain damage – so, take each event seriously;
- Shortly after incurring a major head injury, a person can develop uncontrolled bleeding in the brain. When this bleeding happens in the cavity surrounding the brain, it’s called a subarachnoid hemorrhage. If the bleeding occurs within a person’s brain tissue, it’s called an intracerebral hemorrhage. This latter type of bleeding often causes both headaches and vomiting. Dangerous pressure may be building up in the brain while the bleeding continues. Never just assume this is normal. If someone refuses to get immediate medical help after suffering this type of injury – always stay with them since they can soon lose consciousness and be unable to obtain critical help for themselves;
- Skull fractures. Fortunately, the skull is made of strong bone material, making it very hard to crack or break. However, when you suspect this has happened, get help at once;
- A diffuse axonal injury. While this head injury usually doesn’t involve any bleeding, it’s still serious and can affect many of your brain cells. Always go to the nearest emergency room to find out if this type of damage has occurred. Being without any noticeable symptoms can sometimes mean that the worst has yet to happen.
A Trained Doctor Should Determine if Your Head Injury is Major or Minor
Symptoms vary so much between patients that no injured party should assume anything about the severity of a head injury. While the following symptoms can occur right after a serious blow to the head and only produce minor problems – you should still see a doctor to be safe.
- A lightheaded feeling
- A headache
- Feeling as though you’re spinning around or nauseous
- Experiencing a sudden yet temporary ringing in the ears
- Feeling a bit confused
Keep in mind that some of the symptoms just named may also occur in conjunction with one or more of the following, more worrisome problems after a major blow to the head.
- A loss of consciousness (this explains why no one should ever go lie down and spend time alone right after a head injury)
- Significant balance or coordination problems
- Be aware that these may not start right away – and may begin rather suddenly
- Problems focusing your eyes or being able to control their movements
- A feeling like you’ve just lost a significant amount of memory
- Mood changes
- Nausea so intense that you begin vomiting
If any of the symptoms named above under either list fail to appear for a day or two – but then appear suddenly– seek medical help right away.
Stay Calm While Doctors, Paramedics or Other Medical Personnel Ask You Questions
After you’ve clearly described the way your accident happened, be ready to answer general questions that help healthcare providers make sure that you’re fully oriented as to the day and time, and where you are. These are all standard inquiries and are part of the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS).
If you’ve suffered a serious blow to the head after a fall – or any accident caused by the negligence of someone else, contact your New York City personal injury lawyer right away. If your injury occurred on the job, you may be entitled to sue for additional compensation separate and apart from your workers compensation claim – depending on the unique facts of your case.