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Traumatic Brain Injury, or TBI, is an injury that typically results from a sharp blow or violent jolt to the body or head. A sharp object that pierces the brain can also cause TBI. Different levels of TBI will result in different outcomes. The three main levels of TBI are mild, moderate, and severe.
Some TBIs can temporarily affect the individual, and others can have catastrophic and long-term effects. Symptoms can present immediately following an injury or can present up to several days after the event.
What are Common Symptoms of Mild TBI?
Some of the most common symptoms of mild TBI are headache, nausea or vomiting, dizziness, loss of balance, problems with speech, and fatigue.
The individual may also experience ringing in the ears, sensitivity to light or sound, feelings of depression or anxiety, memory issues, or loss of consciousness.
What are Common Symptoms of Moderate or Severe TBI?
Moderate or severe TBI can result in loss of consciousness for several minutes or hours, weakness in fingers or toes, slurred speech, coma, confusion, mood swings, seizures or convulsions, and more. Some of these symptoms may not present themselves immediately, and some can range from lasting a few days to indefinitely in a severe or moderate case of TBI.
What are the Common Causes of TBI?
One of the leading causes of TBis is the result of a fall. This can result from falling off of something such as a roof or scaffolding or slipping and falling due to ice or uneven ground.
Car accidents are a common cause as well. Suppose you were involved in an accident and your head was violently slammed against the frame or windshield of the vehicle, or you were ejected from the car and slammed on the pavement; these are common causes for TBI.
Violence can lead to TBI as well. Assaults are another common cause of TBI. A sharp blow to the head or body, resulting from a punch or blunt force trauma, can lead to a TBI.
Bullet wounds to the head are yet another leading cause of TBI. According to the CDC, firearm-related suicide is one of the most common reasons for TBI-related deaths.
How is a Traumatic Brain Injury Treated?
Depending on the severity of the TBI, there are several different ways in which doctors will treat a TBI.
The first goal, typically, is to stabilize the patient to prevent further damage or injury. As symptoms don’t always present immediately, the patient’s blood pressure, brain oxygen levels, and other vitals will be closely monitored.
A rehabilitation program may be advised for TBI recovery. This can include speech or language therapy and physical and occupational therapy. TBI is rarely reversed, but with consistent treatment, the patient can achieve significant improvement and relief from their symptoms.
Depending on the severity of the injury, rehabilitation efforts may be temporary, extensive, or last a lifetime. There may be several levels of progress involved for each patient. Immediate treatment in a medical facility is followed by time in a rehabilitative facility, followed by further therapy sessions once the patient returns home.
Is Compensation Available for TBI?
The costs to treat TBI can add up quickly, even when considering a mild TBI. This can place a tremendous financial strain on victims and their families, not to mention inhibiting their ability to work and bring in an income while they are healing. This can lead to the perfect financial storm that can wreak havoc on even the most financially stable families.
In most cases, a victim of TBI can pursue compensation for their injuries. This can mean things like medical bills, the cost of therapy, and other medical costs that can be compensated. It can also lead to recovering lost wages while the victim is undergoing medical care to return to work.
The laws in South Carolina have guidelines referencing physical brain injury regarding compensation or benefits. This can mean that if proven that your TBI occurred due to a work-related incident, you may be entitled to benefits for some time or the remainder of your life.
Suppose negligence is found upon a third party that resulted in your TBI while at work. You may also be able to pursue a personal injury claim in addition to worker’s compensation claims. Examples can include reckless driving, negligence of a manufacturer, and more. Further compensation for pain and suffering may also be available, depending on your specific case.
Barring a few exceptions, victims typically have three years to pursue compensation for their TBI claim. An experienced attorney can walk you through this process to ensure you handle it accurately.
Why Consult an Attorney?
TBI, however mild or severe, can have devastating circumstances on you and your family. By consulting a trusted and experienced attorney, they can begin to work on your behalf while you and your family focus on healing. They can start researching, compiling evidence, and work for you while you focus on your health.
No one should experience financial ruin from an injury while working to provide for themselves and their family. Consult one of our experienced attorneys in the Columbia, SC area today by calling our office at (803) 000-0000. We have several years of experience handling these cases, and we are confident that we can become fierce advocates for you and your family.
