According to the Brain Injury Society of Toronto, the number of people who will suffer a traumatic brain injury this year is higher than the combined numbers of people who will be diagnosed with breast cancer, HIV or AIDS, spinal cord injury or multiple sclerosis this year. Additionally, car accidents are responsible for more than 50 percent of all traumatic brain injuries.
The symptoms of a brain injury may include tingling or numbness in the body, hearing changes or ringing in the ears, an increase in blood pressure along with a slow rate of breathing, vomiting, confusion, headache, pupils of unequal sizes and loss of consciousness. If a brain injury is suspected, medical attention should be sought immediately.
There are several things that a physician or neurologist might do in order to diagnose a traumatic brain injury. For instance, imaging technology such as magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography may be used to determine the location, type and severity of a brain injury. In addition, a doctor may perform a neuropsychological assessment to evaluate both sensory-motor processes and higher cognitive functioning.
A TBI may have a significant impact on the victim and his or her family. Depending on the severity of the TBI, an individual may have difficulty performing basic daily activities and might require assistance with simple tasks such as dressing, eating and bathing. If the TBI is the result of an accident caused by someone else’s careless or negligent actions, the injured party may be entitled to financial compensation. A lawyer with a background in personal injury cases may either negotiate with the defendant or file to have the case heard in civil court in order to obtain compensation on behalf of a plaintiff.Source: Brain Injury Society of Toronto, “Brain Injury Fact & Figures,” March 2012
Source: Brain Injury Association of America, “Diagnosing Brain Injury“, December 16, 2014
