Understanding TBI

A traumatic brain injury can turn your life upside down. You and your family can expect to feel the repercussions for some time to come. Understanding TBI is an essential part of the recovery process, enabling you to recognize and address symptoms that may not appear for weeks or even months following the injury. If someone else is to blame for the incident that caused brain injury, a TBI attorney can help you seek financial compensation.

Understanding TBI Categories

Trauma to the brain that causes damage without piercing the skull is known as a closed head injury. Someone could purposely cause an injury of this type by knocking you down or shoving your head forcefully against a hard object.

An open head injury is the result of a projectile or object passing through your skull and wounding the brain tissue. For example, a gunshot to the head would cause an open TBI. The shooter would be liable for damages, whether the shot was intentional or accidental.

An anoxic injury results when the oxygen supply to your brain is diminished or cut off altogether, causing brain cells to die. This could happen if you almost drowned. If the incident resulted from a fall into an unfenced swimming pool, for example, the owner of the property could be liable for negligence.

Toxic brain injury is due to exposure to chemicals that enter the brain and cause damage. An employer who fails to properly protect you from such chemicals in the workplace could be held liable for disregarding safety regulations.

Understanding TBI Levels of Severity and Symptoms

The medical community recognizes three levels of TBI: mild, moderate and severe. These distinctions depend on the extent of the damage, the part of the brain that is injured and how it affects the rest of your body.

Some of the symptoms of a severe TBI may not even be apparent until after you are on your way to recovery. Others may show up immediately. Recognizing the following indications of brain injury is critical to understanding TBI.

• Reduced response to stimuli
• Muscle tone changes
• Respiratory distress
• Loss of coordination
• Loss of inhibition
• Memory difficulties
• Trouble with speech

According to the Neurological Institute at Brookhaven Hospital, all levels of brain injury have the potential for lifelong repercussions, and severe injuries often result in permanent disabilities.

Understanding TBI Prognosis

During the spontaneous recovery period in the immediate aftermath of TBI, the brain heals itself as much as possible, replacing injured cells and recovering functionality. The process could be ongoing for months. Additional therapy for behavioral skills, medications to address mental and physical disabilities, and nursing care, either temporary or permanent, are often a requirement following a severe brain injury.

Prognosis and recovery are unique to the individual, and you cannot expect to return to normal as quickly as you would from a broken bone or a muscle sprain. Post-acute recovery, which takes place once spontaneous healing has run its course, can be an arduous and lengthy process. For some people, it can extend throughout the rest of their lives.

Rizio Lipinsky Heiting Specializes in TBI Cases

Given the unpredictable nature of TBI, it makes sense to secure full financial damages when someone else has caused your injury. Rizio Lipinsky Heiting provides experienced advice and legal representation for TBI cases. Your medical expenses, loss of salary and ongoing healthcare needs are a burden you should not have to shoulder alone. Call 1-888-292-8888 for a free initial consultation, or complete the form on our website to get the legal help you need.