Brain Injury

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) symptoms of “mild” to “moderate” are subtle and the injury commonly avoids detection.  Due to the invisible nature of the injury, victims or traumatic brain injury only rarely receive prompt treatment for their physical and cognitive impairment.

Not uncommonly, victims’ early medical charts are devoid of any mention of “head injury” or “cognitive impairment”. It is only later, if lucky, that a health care professional validates the victims’ injury, and treatment finally ensues.

TBI occurs when the brain suffers a trauma, whether or not there is apparent evidence on the outside of the head and skull. TBI can result from a heavy blow to the skull (like hitting a wall or being hit by an object), or the brain moving within the skull and hitting the bone, without visible exterior trauma (such as a severe shaking of the head, neck and shoulders).

TBI can often be detected from obvious physical trauma to the outside of the head with open head injuries (OHIs), but many times the brain moves within the skull during closed head injuries (CHIs). Traumatic brain injuries can also occur when the head is protected by an airbag or helmet, but the brain still moves sharply within the skull.

Unfortunately, traumatic brain injuries can go undetected for long periods of time. In situations like this, TBI symptoms can arise months after an incident, leaving the injured party and their loved ones wondering what is happening. TBI symptoms can include:

• Memory Loss
• Loss of Vision
• Coma
• Loss of Taste
• Loss of Bladder or Bowel Control
• Difficulty Paying Attention
• Increased Frustration
• Increased Anxiety
• Impulsive Behavior
• Depression
• Aggressive Behavior
• Mobility Problems
• Fine Movement Problems
• Loss of Smell
• Onset of Epilepsy
• Difficulty Balancing
• Hearing Loss

As with most misunderstood injuries, society and “old school” health care practitioners, are apt to label the TBI victim a malingerer, or worse. Because victims of traumatic brain injury appear outwardly just as they did before the injury, it should come as no surprise that many victims describe their post-injury experience as including progressive social isolation together with alienation from even immediate family.

Practically, victims of TBI are unable to process information at pre-injury rates of speed. Nor is the range of subject matter about which an individual can think the same for a victim of traumatic brain injury. Accurate judgment becomes difficult, at best. Communication is oftentimes stifled, and the ability to conform behavior is impaired. Violent behavior may manifest as a result of frustration and inability to respond in a pre-morbid (pre-injury) manner. Headaches are common, and smell and taste can be affected. Memory and recall are often times profoundly affected.

The Chicago Brain Injury Attorneys of The Allen Firm help clients across Illinois & Wisconsin. If you or someone you know has experienced a Traumatic Brain Injury, contact our personal injury law office today for a free consultation.