Delayed Signs of a Traumatic Brain Injury
A car accident or an unfortunate slip and fall can lead to many injuries, including those of the head. A sudden jerk of the head, even if there was no physical impact with an object, can cause the brain to move and injure brain cells, break blood vessels, or create chemical changes. The resulting damage is known as traumatic brain injury or TBI for short. Not every car accident, slip and fall, or blow to the head will result in a TBI. However, most tramatic brain injuries stem from accidents, and therefore, it’s crucial to monitor TBI symptoms.
If a TBI goes undiagnosed, it can create additional health concerns. First, symptoms can be delayed, so it’s important to know what to look for to obtain proper medical attention. Second, if there was a blow to the head, signs of TBI can mean that there is a possibility of brain injury.
What is TBI?
The term “traumatic brain injury” can sometimes be referred to as a brain injury, head injury, concussion, or post-concussive syndrome.
For medical purposes, it’s important to note whether the person actually suffered brain damage. It’s also equally essential in litigation. When a person was injured in an accident by another’s wrongdoing, even if they were also at fault, they can sue the person who caused the traumatic brain injury.
TBI is an impact to the head that results in any or all of the following:
- Loss of consciousness
- Loss of memory to events surrounding the accident
- Neurological deficits, regardless of their permanence.
Delayed Signs
When there is a motor vehicle accident or any accident that involves blunt trauma to the frontal lobe, it’s common for the person to appear normal to an untrained observer. If there is TBI, those symptoms may be delayed and develop time. Sometimes, it can take hours or days after the injury for signs to show. The signs that do show can also be confused with something else. And when those symptoms improve over time, it can give people a sense of security that they are fine.
Symptoms will be different for each person. Below is a list of symptoms to monitor after a car accident or when you have suffered a blow to the head.
Physical
- Headaches, light-headedness, dizziness, vertigo, or loss of balance.
- Sensitivity to light or noise.
- Sensory problems including blurred vision, seeing stars, or eyes that easily tire.
- Loss of smell or taste.
- Vomiting, weakness, or numbness.
Physical signs like headaches, dizziness, or confusion can often be overlooked by the injured person. These symptoms can be tricky since they can also be attributed to other causes. Also, vomiting repeatedly can be an indication of severe TBI. It’s worth seeking an appropriate medical exam to rule out the possibility of TBI.
Thinking and Remembering
- Difficulty remembering, concentrating, or focusing.
- Problems with short or long-term memory.
- Slowness in thinking, speaking, acting, or reading.
- Foggy brain
Social or Emotional
- Mood changes, easily agitated, or combative.
- Feeling anxious, depressed, or nervous.
- Irritable or easily angered.
- Feeling emotional or sad.
Emotional symptoms can also be easy to ignore. However, feeling anxious or depressed can indicate a chemical change, which can be a symptom of TBI. Such signs usually develop later on during the recovery period.
Sleep
- Fatigue or drowsiness.
- Lack of energy
- Change in sleeping patterns, like sleeping more or less than usual.
- Trouble falling asleep.
Seek Medical Attention
Suppose you have been the victim of a car accident, and you hit your head during the impact. In that case, it’s essential to seek medical attention from a trained professional since TBI symptoms are easy to miss. Paramedics at the scene can survey the damage, either a bent frame, evidence of a broken windshield, a scraped or indented helmet, all signs that can indicate head trauma.
Like police who arrive at the scene, paramedics also draft a report detailing their own observations at the scene. At the early stages, a paramedic will state if they see anything consistent with a head injury. It could be disorientation, irregular eye movement, or disorientation.
Having a paramedic treat you at the scene doesn’t mean that further medical treatment isn’t necessary. Visiting a doctor or an emergency room shortly after is crucial. It’s essentially the first time an injured person can be evaluated by a highly trained provider.
Doctors and nurses will record the same type of findings and observations as the paramedics. Yet, a doctor’s observations will be more accurate because of their superior training and ability to thoroughly examine a patient. Over time, there may also be more symptoms of TBI surfacing. Plus, a doctor can run necessary tests to properly diagnose a TBI or to out its existence.
Obtaining Legal Advice
If you have been injured by another’s wrongdoing and that injury caused you a traumatic brain injury, you should be compensated for that harm. Our California personal injury attorneys have more than 30 years of experience and fight hard for their clients. You can reach out to our team for a free confidential consultation here.
Attorney Domingo Castillo handles workers’ compensation, personal injury, family law & immigration throughout Southern California from our 5 offices: Indio, Pomona, Riverside, San Diego & Cathedral City. We help clients file injury claims, obtain residency & citizenship, and we assist families through divorce, child custody and all family law matters.
