If you were in an accident and suffered a head trauma, you may be the victim of a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Head trauma that occurs during an accident, like a motor vehicle accident or fall, can result in a TBI, and oftentimes those who have suffered one may not even know it until it’s too late. This is because the effects of TBIs can go undiagnosed at the time of accident and unnoticed for weeks, even months.
There are two categories for TBIs: 1) a Mild TBI (mTBI) and 2) a moderate to severe TBI. As the names suggest, they can mean drastically different things for you and your quality of life. So what are the differences between the two? Any why is it so important that you understand everything you can about a TBI as it relates to your personal injury case? We discuss further.
Mild TBI
Although many people believe that a TBI can only result if you have been knocked unconscious or fall into a coma, this is simply not true. Even if you did not slip unconscious or did for only a moment, you may still have suffered a mTBI. A majority of TBIs will fall into this category, and a prime example of this is when you get a concussion. One of the reasons mTBIs are so dangerous is because they can be very hard to detect. If your accident was not serious and you think you walked away fine, the symptoms of a TBI may not show up for weeks or even months later. From a litigation point of view, this can make it difficult to prove them in court.
Symptoms of mTBIs that can develop over time include difficulty sleeping, depression, mood swings, coordination issues, and nausea, to name a few. Although most people who are diagnosed with an mTBI will likely regain full quality of life over time, those who have suffered a moderate to severe TBI may not be so lucky.
Moderate to Severe TBI
Moderate to severe TBIs typically result if you were in an accident, suffered head trauma, and fell unconscious for 30 minutes or more. However, this is not a hard line. Instead of symptoms taking weeks or months to show up, symptoms will generally start to show immediately or within days of your accident and are generally much more drastic than with mTBIs. Symptoms include: severe and persistent nausea or vomiting, depression, irritability, violent outbursts, confusion, memory loss, and potentially more. You might also notice a clear fluid draining from your ears in the days after your accident. Severe TBIs can cause long lasting damage to your health and quality of life.
TBIs and Personal Injury Law
If you are the victim of any type of TBI, it is crucial that you speak with a personal injury lawyer regarding your claim right away. Understanding the different types of TBIs and their various symptoms becomes very important in the world of litigation. This is because TBIs can’t be seen, so it’s vital to not only know what you have suffered but that you are able to prove it to the court. TBIs can cause your quality of life to suffer greatly, and it’s essential that you recover damages that are fair and which will enable you to live a full life.
If you win your case, then you may be able to recover monetary damages to pay for medical and therapy expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and reduced quality of life.
Contact Karlin & Karlin Today
If you have been the victim of a TBI or other kind of injury resulting from an accident, the team at Karlin & Karlin is here to help. We have worked on a variety of personal injury cases from car accidents to wrongful death claims, and have the experience to help you win yours. If you have suffered a TBI or any other type of injury in a collision or accident, please contact Karlin & Karlin to set up your free consultation today. Our firm is fully bilingual. call our Main Office: 213-365-1555 or Toll free: 888-365-1555 .
