St. Louis Brain Injury Attorneys

The brain is one of the human body’s largest and most complex organs. It is the command center for the human nervous system. It is the seat of intelligence personality, interpreter of senses, initiator of movement, and behavior controller. The brain sits in a pool of fluid called cerebrospinal fluid, which acts as a cushion, dulling the force sustained by the brain in the event of an impact. Regardless of this cushion, injuries still occur due to severe impact sustained during traumatic events such as a car crash, truck wreck, or motorcycle accident.

TBIs are often avoidable, though. Common causes include surgical errors, defective products, motor vehicle accidents, construction accidents, birth injuries, chemical exposure, and machinery failures. Whether the injury is a concussion or coma, a diagnosis of traumatic brain injury comes with lifelong consequences – for the victims and their families.

Traumatic brain injury can have wide ranging physical and psychological effects. Depending on its severity, symptoms of a traumatic brain injury may include:

Physical symptoms

• Loss of consciousness (for a few moments, minutes, or hours) or a coma
• A persistent state of being dazed, confused, or disoriented
• Convulsions or seizures
• Fluid draining from the nose or ears
• Headache or headache that worsens
• Nausea or vomiting
• Fatigue or drowsiness
• Dilated pupils
• Problems with speech or slurred speech
• Difficulty sleeping
• Sleeping more than usual
• Dizziness or loss of balance and/or coordination
• Weakness or numbness

Sensory symptoms

• Blurred vision
• Ringing in the ears
• Bad taste in the mouth
• Changes in the ability to smell
• Sensitivity to light or sound

Cognitive or mental symptoms

• Profound confusion
• Personality changes
• Agitation, combativeness or other unusual behavior
• Memory or concentration problems
• Mood changes or mood swings
• Feeling depressed or anxious

Every patient is unique. Not everyone has the same symptoms and they may present differently in different people.

It is essential to have any symptoms of brain injury evaluated immediately by an appropriate healthcare provider versed in diagnosing and treating brain injuries. Simon Law can help you navigate this road. Children may not be able to communicate symptoms of brain injury; therefore, even if you think you and your child did not sustain any injuries following an accident, you should still see a physician as soon as possible to make sure.

While there is little that can be done to reverse the initial damage, there are steps that can be taken to stabilize the patient and prevent future injury. This means medical attention will focus on ensuring the patient receives oxygen, maintains blood flow, and controls blood pressure. The patient may undergo further diagnosis using X-rays and C.T. scans. Due to the irreversible nature of many TBIs, treatment focuses on rehabilitation.

According to The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, approximately half of the patients who suffer from a severe head injury, such as a TBI, will need surgery to remove or repair hematomas or contusions. Patients will likely suffer from long-term disabilities following the injury – problems with thinking, memory, and reasoning, as well as issues with sensory processing, communication, or behavioral health.