Warning Signs of Major Brain Injury

Brain injuries can range in severity from mild to serious. However, major or traumatic brain injuries can result in lasting and permanent neurological damage that can impact the rest of your life. If you suffer a major brain injury, you can suffer from a loss of consciousness for over six hours and even fall into a coma. If you notice the signs of a traumatic brain injury, it is important to receive medical attention as soon as possible.

Causes of Major Brain Injury in Florida

A number of different accidents can cause traumatic brain injuries. Car accidents, falls from high places, slips and falls, acts of violence, and hitting another object can trigger a serious brain injury. All of these causes have one factor in common: a jolt, blow, or bump to the head that harms the normal functioning of the brain.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the leading cause of major brain injuries in 2013 were falls, leading to 47% of all emergency room visits. Falls particularly impacted young children (54% of all major brain injuries) and older adults (79% of all major brain injuries).

The second leading cause of major brain injuries are objects hitting against a person’s head, which led to 15% of major brain injury hospitalizations and deaths in 2013. The third leading cause of traumatic brain injuries were car accidents at 14%.

Traumatic Brain Injury Statistics

Traumatic brain injuries are a major cause of injury, death, and disability in the United States. According to the CDC, traumatic brain injuries lead to approximately 30% of all injury deaths in this country. In addition, 153 people die from brain injuries in the United States every day. 

• In 2013, emergency rooms across the United States saw 2.8 million visits related to traumatic brain injuries. These visits included hospitalizations, treatment, and deaths.

• In 2013, approximately 50,000 people died due to major brain injury.

• Hospitals admitted 282,000 people in the United States for major brain injury.

• Between 2007 to 2013, the rate of hospital visits for major brain injury increased by 47%. However, hospitalization rates decreased by 2.5% and deaths decreased by 5%.

• In 2012, 329,290 children visited emergency rooms to receive treatment for major brain injury caused by sports and other recreation activities.

Common Symptoms of a Traumatic Brain Injury

Brain injury symptoms can vary from person to person. You may develop signs and symptoms of traumatic brain injury within the first few hours up to days after you suffer the head injury. If you notice any of these symptoms, you may have a major brain injury.

• Loss of consciousness for several minutes to hour
• Severe headaches
• Persistent nausea or vomiting
• Numbness in extremities
• Speech problems
• Fatigue or drowsiness
• Profound confusion, dizziness, or disorientation
• Seizures
• Slurred speech
• Agitation and mood swings
• Clear fluids draining from nose or ears
• Coma or consciousness disorders
• Partial or total loss of vision
• Loss of hearing or ringing in the ears

When to Seek Medical Attention for a Major Brain Injury

You should always seek medical attention if you feel like you have a major brain injury. However, you should call 911 or visit the emergency department as soon as possible if you notice any of the following symptoms.

• Worsening or persistent headache
• Repeated vomiting
• Difficulty moving arms or legs
• Loss of consciousness

Traumatic brain injuries can lead to permanent disabilities and the need for lifelong medical care. You can suffer from thousands of dollars in medical expenses, an inability to work, a loss of quality of life, and many other damages. You can recover compensation for these losses under Florida law.

If you suffered a major brain injury due to someone else’s negligence, you can pursue legal action to recover compensatory damages. Contact a brain injury attorney in Florida as soon as possible to discuss your options for an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit.