What Are Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is defined as a blow or jolt to the head or a penetrating head injury that disrupts the function of the brain. Not all blows or jolts to the head result in a traumatic brain injury. The severity of such an injury may range from “mild,” i.e., a brief change in mental status or consciousness to “severe,” i.e., an extended period of unconsciousness or amnesia after the injury. A traumatic brain injurycan result in short or long-term problems.

In this article you will find answers to commonly asked questions regarding traumatic brain injuries:

 

Common Causes of Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is defined as a blow or jolt to the head or a penetrating head injury that disrupts the function of the brain. Not all blows or jolts to the head result in a traumatic brain injury. The severity of such an injury may range from “mild,” i.e., a brief change in mental status or consciousness to “severe,” i.e., an extended period of unconsciousness or amnesia after the injury. A traumatic brain injurycan result in short or long-term problems.

Common Causes of Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)

  • Fall Accidents such as falls from scaffolding, slip and falls or trip and falls;
  • Motor vehicle accidents such as car accidents and truck accidents; and
  • Blows to the head such as by falling objects.

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Types of Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)

There are two basic types of traumatic brain injury: open head injuries and closed head injuries. Some examples of open head injuries are wounds from a high speed transportation accident or a bullet wound. The head bleeds a lot when it is cut, and when the skull is cracked or penetrated, pieces of it can get stuck in the brain. It is difficult for even the best doctors to remove objects stuck inside the brain.

In a closed head injury, nothing penetrates the skull. Nevertheless, a closed head injury can be just as devastating and complicated as an open head injury, sometimes even more so. During a closed head injury, the brain may bounce around and bump into portions of the skull. One of the most common types of closed head injury is a concussion. People suffer concussion in various ways such as from car accidents, truck accidents, slip and falls, construction site accidents, etc.

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Common Signs of Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)

The signs and symptoms of a traumatic brain injury can be obvious or they can be subtle. Sometimes, symptoms of a traumatic brain injury may not appear until days or weeks following the injury or may even be overlooked as people may look fine even though they may act or feel differently. Below are some of the signs and symptoms of a traumatic brain injury:

  • Headaches or neck pain that do not go away;
  • Difficulty remembering, concentrating, or making decisions;
  • Slowness in thinking, speaking, acting, or reading;
  • Getting lost or easily confused;
  • Feeling tired all of the time, having no energy or motivation;
  • Mood changes (feeling sad or angry for no reason);
  • Changes in sleep patterns (sleeping a lot more or having a hard time sleeping);
  • Light-headedness, dizziness, or loss of balance;
  • Urge to vomit (nausea);
  • Increased sensitivity to lights, sounds, or distractions;
  • Blurred vision or eyes that tire easily;
  • Loss of sense of smell or taste; and
  • Ringing in the ears.

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What should I do if I think someone has a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)?

If you think you or someone you know has a traumatic brain injury, contact your health care provider immediately. Your health care provider can refer you to a neurologist, neuropsychologist, neurosurgeon, or specialist in rehabilitation (such as a speech pathologist). Getting help soon after the injury by trained specialists may speed recovery and prevent possible long-term damage.

For more information on traumatic brain injuries, please refer to Traumatic Brain Injuries, By Matthew Willens
ublished in the Trial Journal Volume 7, Number 1, Winter 2004 (republished in The Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers Journal, Issue 499, 2005).

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Publised by Matthew Willens
Copyright 2010 Willens Law Offices