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What Are Mild Traumatic Brain Injuries?

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Brain InjuryIn a recent blog, we discussed the shocking findings of a study that found brain disease in 99% of deceased former NFL athletes whose brains were donated for scientific research. The results have bolstered ongoing conversations about the long-term impact of traumatic brain injuries, as well as the serious consequences of repetitive head trauma. As a law firm that has represented many victims who suffered concussions and other serious head injuries in preventable accidents, including car accidents, we know the unpredictable and often profound consequences that can accompany traumatic brain injuries.

Because brain injuries can range in both the nature of initial injuries and effects on victims, they are classified based on their severity. Mild traumatic brain injuries (mTBI) are those in which an impact or force to the head cause a loss of consciousness and / or disorientation shorter than 30 minutes. They may also be referred to as minor traumatic brain injuries or even concussions. It is important to bear in mind that while they are labeled “mild,” this term only described the severity of the initial injury – not the severity of the effects on victims.

To help you better understand mild traumatic brain injuries, steps to address them, and how they relate to accidents, our legal team at Biren Law Group has compiled the following information:

  • Symptoms – Although they are called “mild,” these types of traumatic brain injuries still have the potential to create devastating consequences for victims, including serious psychological and cognitive problems, which greatly limit their ability to handle daily tasks and enjoy their usual quality of life. The duration and severity of symptoms is a largely unpredictable matter, and varies from patient to patient. In many cases, symptoms dissipate over days or weeks, but can last months or even over a year. The most common symptoms include headaches, memory or attention problems, sensitivity to light or sound, difficulty sleeping, difficulty thinking, depression, and other behavioral or mood disturbances, among others. Some symptoms may not be apparent immediately after an accident, or may take days or weeks before they are understood by victims.
  • Always seek medical attention – Following any type of accident involving a head injury, it is of the utmost importance to seek a timely medical evaluation. Doing so can ensure that medical professionals rule out any serious issues, including bleeding in the brain, and provide recommendations regarding recovery and treatment options. Symptoms do not always present themselves immediately after an injury, but because there is always the potential for life-threatening complications, you should never leave a head injury unaddressed. Seeking immediate medical attention is not only critical to your health, but also important to any personal injury claim you may choose to file against the party responsible for your injury. Insurance companies are quick to point out instances of victims waiting or delaying medical treatment as signs that they were not really injured in an accident, even if victims were suffering all along or thought they could avoid a trip to the doctor.
  • Brain injuries can occur without an impact to the head – Many mild traumatic brain injuries result from blunt force trauma to the head, including the types of trauma that can result from falls and motor vehicle accidents. They may also occur regardless of whether there are soft tissue injuries or not. Additionally, victims should understand that they can suffer mTBIs without any direct impact to the head. When the brain is forcefully shaken, it can collide with the skull after it rapidly accelerates and decelerates, resulting in injury. These types of injuries are common in car accidents involving whiplash, where victims’ heads are thrown forward and backward suddenly. Even if you did not hit your head in an accident, but suspect there might be injuries, you should mention this to your doctor.
  • Long-term effects – With new research into the long-term effects of brain injuries, we are beginning to understand the significant risks victims face as they age. For one, having experienced one minor brain injury makes victims as much as three times as likely to experience another. Studies have also associated mTBIs with increased risks of serious deficits involving speaking, movement, and learning, as well as neurological disorders and conditions such as Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease).

The most important thing to understand about mild traumatic brain injuries, or any head injury whatsoever, is that they should always be taken seriously. When these injuries result from accidents caused by the negligence of others, victims should feel reassured to seek medical attention and treatment knowing that they have the right to pursue compensation for their losses, including their pain and suffering, medical expenses, and lost wages, among other damages.

At Biren Law Group, our legal team leverages decades of combined experience to help brain injury victims and their loved ones as they navigate their physical recoveries and pursue a financial recovery of their damages. We place an emphasis on understanding the unique nature of our clients’ injuries, as well as the full scope of how a brain injury impacted their life. With this information, we aim to pursue the full and fair amount of compensation they deserve by holding at-fault parties liable.

To discuss a potential case with a Los Angeles brain injury attorney from Biren Law Group, contact us for a FREE consultation.

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