New York Brain Injury Lawyer

There are two general types of traumatic brain injury: open and closed. An open TBI occurs when an object penetrates, fractures or shatters the skull, therefore injuring the brain. Though skull fractures and similar injuries are rare because the skull is so strong, these injuries can have lifelong effects, including severe brain damage.

Open TBIs, also known as a penetrating TBI, may be caused by violence, car accidents, falls and other incidents. If you suffer an open traumatic brain injury, it’s vital you seek immediate medical attention. These are always considered severe.

Closed TBIs are much more common. These injuries may range from mild to severe; mild closed TBIs are generally referred to as concussions (though concussions themselves can range from mild to severe).

Symptoms of a mild TBIs include:

• Short loss of consciousness
• Headache
• Feeling confused, dizzy, dazed or disoriented
• Nausea
• Difficulty sleeping
• Drowsiness and fatigue
• Speech issues
• Blurred vision, changes in smell or taste, or ringing in ears
• Sensitivity to sound or light
• Mood swings
• Problems with concentration or memory
• Sudden onset of anxiety or depression

Moderate or severe TBIs may require different medication and, in some instances, surgery. In addition to symptoms associated with mild TBIs, symptoms of more serious head trauma include:

• Loss of consciousness that lasts for several minutes (or even hours)
• Worsening or persistent headache
• Persistent nausea
• Pupil dilations
• Seizures or convulsions
• Inability to wake up
• Loss of coordination
• Numbness or weakness in the extremities
• Clear fluids coming from the ears and nose
• Unusual behavior, such as combativeness
• Profound confusion
• Coma
• Slurred speech

While a mild concussion may not require medical attention, moderate or severe TBI should always be evaluated by a doctor. If you suffer any kind of blow to the head, even if you don’t think it’s too serious, seeing a doctor is always a good idea.

While there are numerous types of brain injuries, some of the most common include:

Concussions

A concussion occurs when the brain impacts the inside of the skull and is generally caused by a blow to the head. Concussions can range from mild to severe. Mild concussions are generally treated with acetaminophen for pain and rest. Moderate or severe concussions may require a more serious regimen of rest, including shortening work or school days and avoiding electronic screens or reading.

Edema

Edema is the medical term for swelling. Any TBI can lead to brain swelling or cerebral edema. While edema may not be too serious when it happens in other tissues of your body, it’s a serious issue when it occurs in the brain, since the skull can’t expand to allow for the swelling. As such, edema can cause pressure in your brain. There are a few different options to treat brain swelling, ranging from medication to surgery.

Hemorrhaging

Hemorrhaging is the medical term for uncontrolled bleeding. In terms of brain injuries, hemorrhaging may occur within the brain tissue (intracerebral hemorrhage), or in the space in the skull around the brain (subarachnoid hemorrhage). Brain hemorrhages can lead to strokes, edema and other serious issues. Hemorrhages are generally treated with different types of medications.

Hematomas

A hematoma occurs when there is a clot of blood outside the blood vessels. Brain hematomas generally occur when a brain blood vessel ruptures. There are three different types of brain hematomas: subdural hematomas (between the brain and its protective membranes), epidural hematomas (between the protective membranes and the skull), and intraparenchymal hematomas (within the brain). Hematomas can apply pressure within the skull, which can be life-threatening. Surgery is often required to alleviate pressure.

Diffuse Axonal Injury

While the above injuries typically cause some kind of bleeding on the brain, a diffuse axonal injury (or sheer injury) does not. Rather, it directly damages the brain cells. It occurs in about half of all severe TBIs. As the name implies, a diffuse axonal injury doesn’t occur in a specific area, but rather is widespread. When the brain cells are damaged, they are unable to function. In addition, a diffuse axonal injury can cause swelling. Medications are the most common treatment for diffuse axonal injuries, as surgery often isn’t an option. Diffuse axonal injury(DAI) is the most severe of brain injuries often resulting in permanent, residual brain injury and/or brain damage.