Causes of Traumatic Brain Injury
Severe brain injuries are caused by a blow to the head or body. The degree of damage depends on several factors, including the nature of the event and the force of impact. Common causes of TBI include the following:
Cincinnati Brain Injury Lawyer
Traumatic brain injury is the leading cause of disability in people under 40, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
A TBI can cause a range of functional and long-term changes in a person, affecting a persona’s thinking, sensations, language and emotions. The signs and symptoms of a moderate to severe head injury may include:
- Loss of consciousness
- Persistent headache
- Repeated vomiting or nausea
- Convulsions or seizures
- Dilation of pupils
- Clear fluids draining from the nose or ears
- Inability to awaken from sleep
- Weakness or numbness in extremities
- Loss of coordination
- Confusion
- Unusual behavior
- Slurred speech
- Depression
- Drowsiness
Brain Injury Complications
Medical experts have warned on the permanent risks of traumatic brain injuries for years, and recent studies have indicated that brain trauma may be linked to several serious neurodegenerative diseases such as CTE, Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. The American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) has said that even mild concussions can lead to long-term damage, and that no TBI should be taken lightly.
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) represents a leading cause of mortality worldwide, and among the most common causes of disability in young adults. Traumatic brain injury is associated with a number of chronic neurodegenerative diseases.
However, despite the likely correlation between brain injuries, neurodegeneration, and premature death, the causative factors can be difficult to prove in a court of law. It requires the help of experts and an experienced brain injury lawyer to build a strong case. Complications of TBI may include:
- Minimally conscious state
- Brain death
- Coma
- Seizures
- Fluid buildup in the brain (hydrocephalus)
- Infections
- Blood vessel damage
- Headaches
- Vertigo
- Hearing loss
- Vision issues
TBI Linked to Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease
Every minute, somebody in America develops dementia, which results in 450,000 new cases each year. Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease have been linked to prior injury in many cases.
One study of thousands of retired professional football players suggests that head trauma may be associated with impaired cognition, and in turn increases the risk for dementia. Repetitive head injuries and concussions lead to higher rates of memory impairments and cognitive decline.
Of known neurodegenerative diseases, there is evidence suggesting a link between head trauma and Alzheimer’s Disease. One study in particular reports patients with a history of TBI have a ten-fold increased risk of Alzheimer’s than others.
Research suggests that repeated or severe TBI may increase the risk of degenerative brain diseases. Head trauma was first identified as a potential risk factor for Parkinson’s Disease in the 1920s in boxers suffering repeated concussions.
Since then, researchers have identified TBI as a likely source of secondary brain injury and disease. When Muhammad Ali and other athletes were diagnosed with Parkinson’s, other studies began investigating the role of TBI history in Parkinson’s predisposition. Some of the results of these studies report a relationship between traumatic brain injury and neurodegenerative disease.
Contact a Cincinnati attorney to discuss your individual symptoms. A degenerative brain disorder can cause gradual loss of brain functions, including:
Traumatic Brain Injury Symptoms
Symptoms can linger for weeks, months after a traumatic brain injury, or permanently. When a combination of symptoms last for an extended period of time, it is generally referred to as post-concussion syndrome. Cranial nerve damage may result in changes in basic thinking (cognitive) skills. It may be more difficult to focus or process thoughts. Other TBI problems include:
- Memory
- Trouble with Reasoning & Judgment
- Problem-solving
- Difficulty understanding speech or writing
- Difficulty speaking or writing
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
Brain Injury Lawsuits
Around 138 people die from TBI injuries in the United States each day. Those who survive a TBI can face disabilities which may last the rest of their lives. The effects of TBI can include impaired thinking or memory, movement, sensation (e.g., vision or hearing), or emotional functioning (e.g., personality changes, depression). These issues have lasting effects on individuals, families and communities.
Cincinnati Brain Injury Attorney
Joe Lyon is an experienced Ohio catastrophic injury and product liability attorney accepting cases of brain injuries nationwide. Working on contingency fees, The Lyon Firm invests to learn the critical facts that will drive a successful personal injury case.
Expert testimony is critical in traumatic brain injury cases to understand the scope of the injury, and Mr. Lyon has experience working with neurologists and neuropsychologists to develop this important evidence.
