What is a TBI and how do they happen?

November 29, 2019 By Clare Louise Featured` / Law

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a life-altering event. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease and Prevention (CDC), more than 2.8 million people are treated in emergency rooms each year for TBIs. This doesn’t even take into account the people who don’t go to the hospital or seek treatment from another healthcare provider after an accident occurs.

What is a traumatic brain injury?

TBIs can occur when a person suffers a blow or jolt to the head, experiences a loss of oxygen, or suffers an injury caused by an object penetrating brain tissue. Injuries associated with TBI include instances of hematoma (blood clot on the brain), brain hemorrhaging, skull fracture, shearing, and edema (swelling). An injured person can receive one or more of these injuries in an accident.

A person who suffers a head injury should always receive medical treatment immediately. The sooner a TBI is diagnosed, the better the long-term prognosis is for the injured person. TBIs have long been known as the “silent epidemic” because many people don’t realize the seriousness of it because the injury is not always visible to the naked eye. After treatment has been sought, be sure to contact a personal injury lawyer in Houston. Your attorney can examine the circumstances surrounding the accident and ensure you receive the help and medical treatments you need.

TBI is a life-altering injury

Medical professionals classify TBIs as mild, moderate, or severe. Concussions are considered to be mild TBIs. It’s important to understand a concussion is not an injury that should be dismissed. There is no such thing as “just a concussion.” These should always be taken seriously. It is not uncommon for symptoms to emerge days, weeks, or months after an accident. In the case of an injured child, it might be years before the full extent of the head injury is known. No two brain injuries are alike and, while there are similar symptoms in victims, no one will experience the same exact effects.

Common accidents that lead to a TBI

Any kind of TBI, regardless of severity, can lead to significant changes for the injured person and their family. Life is often never the same post-accident. A TBI can happen in a variety of scenarios. In the United States, the top three causes of TBIs are:

Slips and falls
Motor vehicle accidents
Violence

If you, or a loved one, have experienced a head injury in an accident or because of the actions of another person who was negligent or committed violence, it’s important to receive legal counsel. An experienced personal injury lawyer in Houston can ensure you receive compensation to cover the costs of your medical expenses, and for your pain and suffering.