March is Traumatic Brain Injury Awareness Month. This is a good time for us to think about those individuals who are living with debilitating brain injuries as well as the families who are coping with caring for someone with these injuries. These are injuries that occur as the result of a blow to the head, which causes the brain to collide against the skull. While some brain injuries are milder and people can go on to make a full recovery, there are other types of brain injuries that could leave an individual permanently disabled.
Here are some of the most common myths surrounding TBI’s from our brain injury attorney in Sacramento:
Myth 1: All traumatic brain injuries are more or less the same
This is not true. Experts say that traumatic brain injuries may vary widely from person to person. Brain injury symptoms may range from mild to moderate or severe depending on the damage that has been sustained by the brain. Some with a mild traumatic brain injury such as a concussion may experience symptoms such as headaches, confusion, dizziness, mood changes and memory issues. Someone with a more severe brain injury may display these symptoms in addition to more severe ones such as seizures, loss of consciousness and vomiting.
Myth 2: If you seem fine after an impact to the head, you must be fine.
Even if a person looks “normal” after an impact to the head, he or she may not be fine. Looks can be deceptive. Internal bleeding in the cranium may be present without any external symptoms. In fact, a person with traumatic brain injury can be conscious and walk around and even talk normally after the injury. It is also crucial to understand that the skull does not have to be impacted or penetrated for the brain to suffer significant damage. Those who suffered a concussion or mild traumatic brain injury could still have neurological or psychological problems.
Myth 3: You don’t really need to seek medical care for symptoms.
Not seeking medical care and attention can be a deadly mistake. Not much can be done to reverse a severe brain injury or brain trauma. However, immediate medical attention is required to stabilize the person and focus on preventing further injury. Medical personnel can also help ensure that the brain is getting sufficient oxygen supply and that blood pressure and other vital signs are monitored and controlled.
Myth 4: All brain injury patients heal and return to a normal life.
This is, unfortunately, not always true. Prognosis for brain injury patients varies depending on a number of factors from severity to where the injury is located. It also depends on how healthy the individual was at the time of the injuries. A number of patients end up with permanent disabilities such as cognitive impairment and loss of memory. It is true that some patients may return to normal life. However, others may have to adapt to cope with their new disabilities. The majority of victims also need extensive rehabilitative treatments.
The cost of treating and rehabilitating brain injury patients can add up to millions of dollars. If you have suffered a brain injury as a result of someone else’s negligence or wrongdoing, you may be able to seek compensation for your injuries, damages and losses. Call the Demas Law Group P.C., at (916) 444-0100 for a free consultation and comprehensive case evaluation.
