A traumatic brain injury (TBI) can occur in a variety of different types of accidents. For example, an individual might experience a TBI in a car or motorcycle accident, or after slipping and falling on a wet or slick surface. Diagnosing a TBI can be difficult at times, especially in the event of a closed head injury. Here’s what you need to know about the diagnosis of a traumatic brain injury and what to do if you or a loved one are injured.
Patient Symptoms
Often, a person who has experienced a traumatic brain injury will have symptoms based on where in the brain the injury occurred. For example, damage to the cerebellum (the bottom part of the brain that is located in the back of the head) is likely to result in poor balance or loss of coordination. Damage to the temporal lobe may cause short term memory loss, and an injury to the frontal lobe of the brain may cause a change in the ability to communicate socially with others. A patient’s symptoms can sometimes be used to indicate that a brain trauma has occurred, and where that trauma might be located on the brain.
Advanced Testing
After any accident, especially if a traumatic brain injury is suspected, it is critical that medical testing be performed as quickly as possible. Brain imaging can be done using a variety of different technologies, and each may provide its own information. Physicians will typically take x-rays of the patient’s head to look for skull fractures, and an MRI or a CT scan is often used to detect damage to the brain, such as a bleed. Depending on the information that the testing provides the physician, he or she may determine that the patient needs emergency surgery (in the case of a bleed) or simply needs observation (such as in the case of a concussion).
Getting to the Right Doctors
Sometimes TBI symptoms are mild and difficult to detect. A general emergency room physician may not be able to detect complex neurological issues after an accident in the same way that a specialized physician like a neurologist would. If you or a loved one have symptoms of a TBI, it is critical that you get to the right doctors who are more likely to be able to help you. However, this can be challenging after an accident. By working with an experienced traumatic brain injury lawyer, you can pursue the best medical evaluation and treatment available.
Getting the Compensation You Deserve
Brain injuries are life changing for both the victim and his or her family. A severe TBI may cause an individual to become permanently disabled, meaning that they can no longer work or provide for their family. Some individuals who have suffered a TBI need around-the-clock care, such as home medical care or even care at a skilled nursing facility. The medical expenses related to a traumatic brain injury can be high, and if your injury occurred as the result of someone else’s negligence, you shouldn’t be responsible for those costs.
At Guest & Brady, we can provide you with comprehensive legal assistance, and will zealously help you pursue the compensation you deserve for your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Contact us today for a FREE consultation to discuss your legal needs in detail by calling (864) 233-7200.
