What are Traumatic Brain Injuries?

Our brains' complexities are hard to understand. This small, 3-pound organ works around the clock to coordinate all involuntary and voluntary actions in our bodies.

The skull does a good job of protecting the brain, but it is still very vulnerable to all kinds of trauma: Car accidents, falls, sports injuries, physical assault and many other injuries. Traumatic brain injury is a contributing factor in 30% of all U.S. deaths due to injury, and of the 1.7 million people who sustain this type of injury annually, 52,000 will die (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC).

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is an injury that disrupts the normal function of the brain and can be mild or severe. A concussion is defined as a mild TBI but can still be very painful and disorienting. More serious injuries to the brain can cause unconsciousness, long periods of memory loss and disability and, of course, death.

Motor vehicle crashes cause almost one-third of all TBI fatalities (CDC). But whether as a result of an auto accident or your teenager's football game, when a victim of an accident or other type of trauma exhibits symptoms of a TBI, get medical help immediately. Here are some of the more common symptoms:

• Mild TBI or concussion: Dizziness, headache, confusion, blurred vision, fatigue, lethargy, lightheadedness, mood swings, memory problems and issues with concentration.
• Moderate or severe TBI: In addition to the symptoms of a mild TBI, a severe headache that doesn't go away, dilation of one or both pupils in the eyes, extremity numbness or weakness, inability to waken from sleep, slurred speech, increased confusion or agitation.

TBIs may also cause personality changes and contribute to clinical depression.

Victims of TBIs may have permanent cognitive and emotional damage as well as physical disability and may experience catastrophic economic losses including current and future medical expenses, rehabilitation and therapy costs, home and vehicle modifications, lost wages and lost earning capacity and funeral and burial expenses for a wrongful death case.

If you or a family member has suffered a traumatic brain injury due to an accident or any other type of personal injury, please contact the Law Offices of Diana Santa Maria, P.A. immediately. Our experienced attorneys will fight for the compensation you deserve. Please call us for a free consultation. Attorney Diana Santa Maria, personal injury attorney in Fort Lauderdale, will fight to secure justice for you and your family. You can reach us at (954) 434-1077 or contact us via the website.