Traumatic brain injuries are among the most severe consequences that individuals can experience due to accidents, encompassing a wide range of severity. Each year, hundreds of thousands of people are affected by these injuries, leading to lasting stress for the injured and their families.

For over four decades, we have been dedicated to assisting clients and their loved ones in Lodi, aiming to alleviate the burdens caused by these injuries. If you or someone you care about has endured head trauma in an accident, contact our experienced Lodi brain injury lawyers at (209) 227-1931 for a complimentary consultation.

Brain injuries can result from various causes, including:

• Falls: Falls are a common cause of brain injuries, especially among young children and older adults. Falls from heights, slips, and trips can lead to head trauma and subsequent brain damage.
• Motor Vehicle Accidents: Car accidents, motorcycle crashes, and pedestrian or cyclist accidents can cause severe brain injuries. The sudden impact or violent head shaking during a collision can result in brain trauma.
• Sports Injuries: Contact sports like football, soccer, boxing, and hockey pose a risk of brain injuries. Concussions and other traumatic brain injuries can occur due to direct blows to the head, collisions, or falls during sports activities.
• Assaults and Violence: Intentional violence, such as physical assaults or gunshot wounds, can cause severe brain injuries. These injuries may result from direct impacts, penetrating objects, or forceful head shaking.
• Workplace Accidents: Certain occupations, such as construction or industrial work, carry a higher risk of brain injuries. Falls from heights, being struck by objects, or exposure to hazardous materials can lead to head trauma and brain damage.
• Explosions and Blast Injuries: Military personnel, firefighters, and individuals close to explosions are at risk of sustaining brain injuries. The sudden force and pressure waves generated by explosions can cause significant brain trauma.
• Medical Conditions and Diseases: Some brain injuries occur due to medical conditions like strokes, tumors, or infections that affect the brain. These conditions can cause brain damage by interrupting blood flow, increasing pressure, or damaging brain tissue.

It is essential to take precautions and practice safety measures to minimize the risk of brain injuries. Wearing appropriate protective gear, following traffic rules, maintaining a safe environment, and seeking medical attention after head trauma are essential steps in preventing and managing brain injuries.

Brain injuries can cause various symptoms; however, brain injuries can range from asymptomatic to causing wrongful death, like many medical problems. Because of this, neurological damage can be challenging to detect. Anyone showing signs or symptoms of brain injuries could seek treatment as early as possible. If you delay medical attention, it could lead to permanent brain damage or even death. Common symptoms of brain injuries include:

• Headache, including tension headaches, cluster headaches, and migraines
• Difficulty sleeping
• Amnesia, both retrograde and anterograde
• Dripping of cerebrospinal fluid from the head, eyes, ears, or nose
• Bleeding from the skull, nose, eyes, or ears
• Difficulty seeing or hearing
• Fainting or loss of consciousness
• Trouble writing, walking, or standing
• Decreased or total loss of sensation in various body parts
• Coma

If someone experiences any of the symptoms listed above, they should seek medical treatment immediately. Remember, brain injuries could produce some, all, or none of the above symptoms.

The process typically begins with a comprehensive history when seeking medical evaluation for a potential brain injury. The physician will inquire about the sequence of events leading up to and following the accident, aiming to establish a clear timeline. This will involve gathering information regarding the accident’s mechanism, any head trauma incurred, and the onset of various symptoms. The timing of these events serves as valuable clues in determining the nature of the brain injury.

Following the history, the physician will conduct a physical examination to assess the patient’s motor and sensory function. This evaluation helps in localizing and assessing the severity of the injury. Additionally, the doctor will carefully inspect the face and skull for any visible signs of trauma.

To objectively assess the presence of a brain injury, the patient may undergo several imaging tests, which include:

CT Scan: In cases where emergent care is possible due to severe head injury, a CT scan is performed. This test swiftly identifies bone fractures and brain bleeding. Its primary purpose is to promptly determine if there is any brain bleeding, as immediate treatment might be required to prevent cerebral herniation.

MRI Scan: Although it takes longer, it provides more detailed information without radiation. It offers insights into bone fractures, brain bleeding, and any structural damage to the brain tissue. Moreover, MRI scans can detect previous brain injuries that have already healed.

Brain injuries can vary in type and severity depending on the cause and extent of the damage. Here are some common types of brain injuries:

• Concussion: A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) that usually occurs due to a blow to the head or violent shaking of the body. Symptoms of a concussion can include confusion, dizziness, headaches, temporary loss of consciousness, and difficulties with memory.
• Contusion: A cerebral contusion refers to a bruise or bleeding in the brain tissue, typically caused by a direct impact on the head. It can lead to localized damage and symptoms such as headache, nausea, difficulty speaking, and changes in behavior.
• Traumatic Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: This type of brain injury involves bleeding in the space between the brain and the thin tissues that cover it (subarachnoid space). It is often caused by head trauma and can lead to symptoms like severe headaches, neck stiffness, and changes in consciousness.
• Diffuse Axonal Injury (DAI): DAI occurs when the brain’s nerve fibers (axons) are stretched or torn due to strong rotational forces during an accident or injury. This type of injury can result in widespread damage to the brain and lead to long-term cognitive and neurological impairments.
• Penetrating Injury: A penetrating brain injury occurs when an object, such as a bullet or a sharp object, enters the brain tissue. It can cause significant damage to the affected area and may require immediate medical attention.
• Hematoma: A hematoma is a blood collection outside the blood vessels, often caused by a head injury. Different types of hematomas include epidural hematoma (between the skull and outermost brain membrane), subdural hematoma (between the brain and its middle membrane), and intracerebral hematoma (within the brain tissue). Hematomas can cause various symptoms depending on their location and size.

It is essential to seek medical attention promptly if a brain injury is suspected, as proper diagnosis and treatment can significantly impact the patient’s recovery and long-term prognosis.

The following YouTube video discusses traumatic brain injuries and how they are treated with new technology and treatments.

Since 1982, our office has been driven by a steadfast commitment to delivering compassionate and personalized care to each and every patient and their family. We dedicate ourselves to establishing a meaningful connection with every client, ensuring their voices are heard and valued. Understanding our client’s objectives is of utmost importance to us, and we strive to alleviate as much stress as possible from their circumstances. By doing so, we empower our clients to channel their energies toward their recovery, knowing that they are supported every step of the way.

Brain injuries can lead to lifelong consequences for patients and their loved ones. If you or a family member has been involved in an accident leading to a brain injury due to negligence, please call our experienced Lodi brain injury lawyers at (209) 227-1931 or (800) 404-5400 for friendly, free advice.

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^{Editor’s Note: updated [cha 6.16.23]Photo by KOMMERS on Unsplash  [cs 1321]}