Virginia Beach Traumatic Brain Injury Symptoms

If you have headaches, difficulty remembering information, or are experiencing increased anxiety or depression, you should see a doctor. These are all Virginia Beach traumatic brain injury (TBI) symptoms and could be indicative of a serious problem.

If you believe you have a TBI that was caused by the negligent actions of another person or party, you may be able to bring a claim for compensation for your injuries. A proactive brain injury lawyer at Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers can examine the circumstances surrounding your injury to help determine your rights.

What is a Traumatic Brain Injury?

A traumatic brain injury is a closed-head injury. The injuries that fall into this category range from a concussion to skull fractures. Virginia Beach traumatic brain injury cases frequently result from auto accidents. For example, a truck rear-ending a passenger vehicle that causes a person to be thrown against the window can result in severe head trauma.

A traumatic brain injury could also result in a supermarket or restaurant where someone falls and hits their head. A Virginia Beach traumatic brain injury lawyer can examine the circumstances surrounding the injury to determine whether you have a viable claim.

How to Recognize a TBI

It is important to be able to recognize the symptoms of traumatic brain injuries. For a brain injury to be traumatic, it does not need to result in a loss of consciousness. However, although a documented loss of consciousness is not required for a TBI, it is the most common symptom doctors look for. If it is unclear whether the person lost consciousness, another symptom of a TBI is altered thought or impaired memory, for example, if the injured party has amnesia or keeps repeating themselves. They may also be disoriented, dazed, confused, or otherwise acting strangely because of the injury. Other symptoms include a headache, facial pain, or neck pain.

Occasionally it may not be clear whether there was a direct blow to the head. In those circumstances, an individual may have a traumatic brain injury from their brain hitting the skull, without actually hitting their head. Severe shaking of the head can result in the tearing of the brain tissue at the microscopic level. A person with an actual blow to the head may experience bruising, lacerations, or a broken nose that can indicate a more severe injury. Regardless, it is important to seek medical attention for an accurate diagnosis.

Symptoms Individuals in Virginia Beach Experience

In the worst cases, a traumatic brain injury could result in death or a coma. When someone has a skull fracture and active bleeding on the brain, the connections within the brain are damaged resulting in cell death, swelling, and other issues that lead to a variety of symptoms. The typical symptoms in a traumatic brain injury fall into four categories.

Physical Pain

The first category of symptoms includes physical pain such as headaches, neck pain, loss of hearing, ringing in the ears, photosensitivity, and other physical symptoms around the face and head.

Cognitive Issues

The second category of symptoms are cognitive problems, which could include memory problems, the inability to make decisions, or the inability to control emotions. This cognitive difficulty manifests over time when someone has a difficult time completing regular daily living activities or has difficulty at work because they cannot remember how to do a regular task.

Emotional Symptoms

The third category of symptoms from traumatic brain injury involves a person’s emotional or psychological state. It is common after a traumatic brain injury for one to have irritability, anxiety, depression, and other changes in personality.

Sleep Disturbances

The fourth category of symptoms are sleep disturbances and fatigue. When someone is unable to sleep it becomes a vicious cycle where the person has a hard time functioning because of their fatigue.

Discuss Virginia Beach Traumatic Brain Injury Symptoms with an Attorney

If you are experiencing any of the symptoms of a traumatic brain injury, it is extremely important that you seek medical care. Often these symptoms only start to appear days after an accident but they can get worse over time and lead to permanent damage. If you believe your injury is the result of another’s negligence, you also may be able to bring a claim for compensation. To discuss your Virginia Beach traumatic brain injury symptoms as well as your options for recovery, call Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers today.