Many people are tempted to walk serious injuries off, not wanting to bother with seeing a doctor or paying medical bills. However, that attitude can prove to be deadly, especially when brain injuries are involved.
Breyer Law Offices, P.C., believes you should know the signs of brain damage, so that if you ever sustain a serious blow to the head, you can seek medical assistance immediately.
Brain Injury Symptoms
The brain is an incredibly complex organ. It is responsible for your ability to move, breath, think, and feel. Any injury to the brain could result in the loss of important senses, including your ability to see, smell, and hear. It could also result in paralysis, and, in extreme cases, even lead to death.
Due to the dangers associated with brain damage, your body naturally protects it with the skull, which is made up of thick bone. This means that the skull takes the brunt of any force on the head, rather than the brain itself. However, even bone cannot withstand every accident. For example, if you sustain a head injury in a car accident, then the skull will likely fracture, and you’ll suffer an open head injury.
This damage, if not treated as soon as possible, could allow you to develop a permanent disability. That is why you need to know the signs and symptoms of brain damage. In the event that you are involved in a serious accident, being able to spot brain damage is key to getting treatment as soon as possible. Common symptoms of brain injuries include:
Intense headaches
Sudden fatigue
Speech issues
Loss of balance
Nausea and vomiting
Loss of consciousness (even for just a few seconds)
A state of confusion
Sudden mood changes
Difficulties with memory
Weakness in limbs
It is unlikely that you will experience each and every one of these symptoms. Everyone is unique, and no two injuries are the same. So, never assume that just because you weren’t knocked out or you still have your balance that you are totally fine. Medical help is still a must.
When You Suffered a Brain Injury
Whether you are suffering from some or none of those symptoms, you should always seek a professional medical opinion if you have sustained a blow to the head. These symptoms do not always show up right away. Shock and adrenaline can dull pain, and you may not notice that something is wrong until a few hours after the accident.
During those hours or days that you put off medical treatment, the damage can become worse and worse. It may eventually become permanent, leading to vision loss or deafness or cognitive issues. Or the lack of treatment could cause an injury, such as swelling. If your brain no longer gets the blood supply you need, then you could suffer a stroke, which could cause further damage.
A brain injury is never something you can just walk off. If the person to blame for your injury, whether it was during a slip-and-fall or a motorcycle collision, tries to convince you that you are fine, tell them that you would rather get a medical professional’s opinion. Negligent people will often try to convince you that you are overreacting in order to minimize their own responsibility. Just keep in mind that the only person who can give you a clean bill of health is a doctor who has run proper tests.
If you have suffered brain damage as the result of someone else’s negligence, then you deserve proper compensation. Brain injuries cost a great deal to treat, and you should not be left carrying that financial burden on your own. Thankfully, we at Breyer Law Offices, P.C., can help. As skilled brain injury attorneys, we fight for our clients’ rights to fair settlements. Contact us to speak with a member of our excellent legal team.