March is Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Awareness Month. During this time, doctors bring attention to TBIs and highlight the importance of recognizing the symptoms. Anyone can sustain a brain injury, but young children and the elderly are at the highest risk.
Head injuries can be caused in several ways, but you might be entitled to financial compensation if it resulted from someone else’s negligence. If this is the case, it may be in your best interest to reach out to a Michigan brain injury lawyer as soon as possible.
What Is a TBI?
The CDC defines a TBI as any disruption in the normal function of the brain. This can be caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head. Some common ways TBIs form include the following:
- Auto accidents
- Sports injuries
- Slips and falls
- Violence
Head injuries can cause severe and permanent impacts on your daily life. You should see a doctor immediately after an accident that resulted in an injury to your head.
Symptoms of a Brain Injury
TBIs have many different symptoms. While one person might have a concussion, another could have difficulty sleeping. It’s also important to remember that symptoms might not appear right away. It could take a few days or even weeks for signs of a head injury to show.
Some common signs of a TBI include:
- Loss of consciousness for minutes or hours
- Headaches
- Fatigue
- Drowsiness
- Change in sleep patterns
- Loss of balance
- Seizures
Victims may also experience cognitive symptoms, such as mood changes and memory loss, or sensory signs, such as blurry vision, ringing in the ears, or the inability to smell.
Children Might Show Different Signs of Head Injury
Infants and toddlers may not experience headaches or show signs of confusion. It also might be hard for them to communicate that they have blurry vision or a ringing in their ears. If you think your child might be suffering from a TBI, you should monitor for:
- Change in eating habits
- Loss of interest in their favorite toys
- Inability to focus
- Irritability
If you notice your child displaying any of these symptoms, you should consult their pediatrician. While they might not treat the injury, the doctor can refer you to a brain specialist.
How Do Doctors Diagnose a TBI?
Diagnosing a brain injury usually involves an evaluation by a doctor and a series of imaging tests. Your doctor will also ask how the injury occurred and what part of the head was impacted. If the physician does not ask, you should inform them if you’re experiencing behavioral, cognitive, or sensory changes. They’ll most likely order a CT or MRI scan, which can show fractures, blood clots, bruising, or swelling in the brain.
How to Prevent a TBI
Most head injuries result from an auto accident. The best way to minimize your chance of TBI from a car crash is to always wear your seatbelt. Because kids are more susceptible to brain injuries, they should sit in the back seat until they’re 13.
You should always wear a helmet when riding a motorcycle. In Michigan, motorcyclists who are over 21, have an endorsement on their license, and meet certain insurance coverage requirements do not have to wear a helmet. Similarly, bicyclists of any age do not have to wear a helmet. However, it’s in your best interest to wear one as bike injuries can cause severe head damage.
Football, ice hockey, field hockey, and lacrosse athletes should always wear a helmet, even when practicing. These are high-impact sports that can easily cause a brain injury.
Seek Out Skilled Legal Representation in Michigan Today
When someone else causes your injury, you should not be left to deal with the financial troubles. At the Michigan Legal Center, our attorneys will work hard for you to obtain the compensation needed to cover medical bills, lost wages, and property damage.
We’ll conduct a full investigation into your claim and seek justice on your behalf. For more than 20 years, our attorneys have represented accident victims in Michigan, and we consider it a privilege to fight for your rights.
Call 1 (800) 961-8447 or complete our contact form to schedule a free consultation.