Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are a major cause of serious injury, disability, and death in the country. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an estimated 1.5 million people sustain them every year. Even though they happen so frequently, there is still a lot of misunderstanding about them. This makes it harder for people who have suffered TBIs to get the care and treatment they need, which is why itās important to get rid of these myths. Here, weāll debunk 5 myths about traumatic brain injuries.
Say Goodbye to These 5 Myths About Traumatic Brain Injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries are always caused by blows to the head.
- Concussions are not serious brain injuries.
- Symptoms of a traumatic brain injury always show up right away.
- If you donāt have a headache, you must not be injured.
- Traumatic brain injuries donāt cause Alzheimerās or dementia.
Traumatic brain injuries are always caused by blows to the head
This isnāt true. While traumatic brain injuries are often caused by blows to the head or by falling and hitting the head, you can also sustain a TBI if your head is violently shaken forward and backward causing the brain to bounce against the skull. One example of when this can happen is from whiplash in a rear-end car accident. The strong impact of a vehicle behind you hitting your car can make your neck and head move quickly back and forth. People can also suffer traumatic brain injuries when objects pierce their skull.
Concussions are not serious brain injuries
Even though concussions are called āmildā traumatic brain injuries, they are still very serious. While they arenāt usually life-threatening, in rare cases they can cause dangerous blood clots in the brain. The majority of people who experience concussions recover from them completely. But a percentage of people donāt, especially if theyāve had more than one. These people can have long-term problems with memory, concentration, depression, and other issues that may require lifelong care.
Symptoms of a traumatic brain injury always show up right away
Sometimes symptoms of a traumatic brain injury show up immediately and sometimes they donāt. Some symptoms might not show up until days or weeks later. This can be dangerous, because if symptoms are subtle, they may not be connected to the injury, which can cause it to grow worse and possibly lead to deadly complications. If youāve been in an accident in which you suffered trauma to the head, donāt wait to get checked out closely by a doctor, even if you arenāt showing any common symptoms of brain injury.
If you donāt have a headache you must not be injured
While headaches are very common symptoms of traumatic brain injury, you can still have a TBI even if you donāt have headache pain. In fact, studies have shown that headaches are more common after mild brain injuries than in cases of moderate and severe TBIs. What this means is that if youāve been in an accident and hit your head or had other impacts to it, you should get medical treatment, even if you donāt have a headache or any other ātypicalā signs of brain injury.
Traumatic brain injuries donāt cause Alzheimerās or dementia
According to the Alzheimerās Association website, studies have linked moderate and severe brain injuries to a greater risk of Alzheimerās disease and other types of dementia. One study showed that people who experienced moderate TBIs had a 2.3 times greater risk of developing dementia. Individuals who had severe traumatic brain injuries had a 4.5 times greater risk.
Dementia, which requires ongoing and often very expensive care, can show up years or even decades following a traumatic brain injury.
How Traumatic Brain Injuries Happen
There are a variety of ways how head injuries happen. Falls are the leading cause of head injuries and traumatic brain injuries. These include falls from heights or falls from slipping or tripping. Motor vehicle accidents are another common cause of traumatic brain injuries. Participating in sports can also result in blows and falls that lead to injuries. Victims of violent acts may also experience head injuries.
However your injury or that of your family member happened, itās highly important to get medical care right away. With proper medical care, the physical impacts of injuries can be reduced.
It can also be important to speak with an attorney if the accident or incident that caused your TBI was due to anotherās negligence (or intentional actions). An attorney who focuses in personal injury law may be able to help relieve the financial impact of your injuries through a legal claim.
Medical and therapeutic treatment of brain injuries is extremely expensive. When physical and mental functions are damaged, TBI sufferers may need assistance just to complete the routine tasks of everyday lifeāfamily members canāt always be available, so this assistance may need to be paid for. And people with the most serious injuries may need 24-hour skilled nursing care for the rest of their lives.
How Does a Legal Claim for a Traumatic Head Injury Work?
In a legal claim, your attorney will pursue fair compensation from the negligent party for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages. Typically, your attorney will try to negotiate a fair settlement with the negligent partyās insurance company. If that party denies responsibility or the insurance company wonāt make a fair settlement offer, the case may go to a trial if that is in line with your goals and wishes.
Get Help from Experienced Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyers
If you or a loved one has suffered a traumatic brain injury in an accident or other incident caused by negligence, we can help you explore your legal options. Our skilled attorneys at the accident and injury law office of Terry Bryant in Houston understand the true cost of serious brain injuries. We may be able to help you get compensation to pay for the losses youāve suffered because of another partyās negligent behavior or actions. Call our law firm today at (713) 973-8888 to schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced and compassionate lawyers.
Attorney Terry Bryant
Terry Bryant is Board Certified in personal injury trial law, which means his extensive knowledge of the law has been recognized by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, setting him apart from many other injury attorneys. The 22 years he spent as a Municipal Judge, Spring Valley Village, TX also provides him keen insight into the Texas court system. That experience also helps shape his perspective on personal injury cases and how they might resolve. This unique insight benefits his clients. [ Attorney Bio ]