Experienced Personal Injury and Medical Malpractice Attorney

Experienced Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyer Serving Connecticut and New York

Every year, millions of people will sustain some type of head injury, many will be traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) requiring immediate hospitalization. While head injuries are common, learning to distinguish serious head trauma and applying basic first aid can save a life.

Brain Injury Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of a head injury are variable. Bleeding or other fluid draining from nose, mouth or ears – may occur right after an accident or develop slowly over several hours. Other times symptoms may be very subtle. Depending on the nature of the trauma, scalp wounds, skull fractures and other brain injuries can result in:

  • Severe headache
  • Pupil changes
  • Confusion, altered consciousness
  • Drowsiness
  • Slurred speech
  • Seizures or convulsions
  • Stiff neck
  • Coma
  • Paralysis
  • Hearing loss
  • Blurred vision or loss of vision
  • Loss of taste and/or loss of smell
  • Cognitive or learning deficits
  • Personality changes

Determining the Extent of a Brain Injury

Physicians will implement diagnostic studies involving the results of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT) and X-rays to determine the nature of the injury. Brain injuries frequently require repeated neurological examination. Serious traumatic brain injuries may result from seemingly minimal trauma. Mild traumatic brain injuries may result in serious deficits. Get immediate medical treatment after any kind of head injury, even if it seems mild.

Common Causes of Traumatic Brain Injuries

Traumatic brain injuries can result from the negligence of others, including:

Types and Definitions of Head Injuries

Injuries to any part of someone’s skull, scalp or brain can result in a concussion, head trauma or traumatic brain injury (TBI). Medical practitioners classify head injuries as closed head injuries or penetrating head injuries. Generally, a closed head injury results when there is a blunt force to the head, such as hitting a wall or hard surface. A penetrating head injury results when the skull is broken and an object enters the brain, such as a bullet. Head injuries can result in permanent brain damage. This can occur as a result of bleeding inside the brain (intracranial hematoma), or high shearing forces that damage the nerve cells of the brain (diffuse axonal injury). It can even occur as a result of an infection to the brain caused by blunt trauma (subdural empyema).

Contact The Law Offices of Patrick J. Filan P.C. for Legal Help

If you or a loved one has sustained a head trauma, brain injury or TBI, do not hesitate to get medical attention. If that trauma was a result of negligence or an accident, contact attorney Patrick J. Filan online or call 203-349-8074 for a free consultation to discuss your legal options for addressing TBI.