Symptoms of Mild and Severe TBIs

From time to time, we discuss the symptoms and effects of traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), which affect over 1.7 million Americans per year. Of these patients, about 365,000 are treated in an emergency department, about 275,000 are hospitalized, and about 52,000 lose their lives.

Medically speaking, brain injuries are usually classified as either mild or severe, and a TBI is considered mild if the resulting loss of consciousness lasts less than thirty minutes. While most TBIs are classified as mild, about 15% of victims experience recurring symptoms for a year or longer after the initial accident. Fortunately, however, most victims eventually regain their quality-of-life to the fullest extent.

Signs and symptoms of a mild TBI include:

• Mood changes, including angry/violent outbursts
• Coordination problems
• Memory loss
• Hypersomnia (excessive sleep)
• Nausea
• Seizures
• Sensory problems, such as loss of smell or sensitivity to sound or light

Signs and symptoms of a mild to severe TBI, which typically arise within days of the accident, include:

• Dilated pupil/s
• Clear fluid draining from one or both ears
• Habitual nausea/vomiting
• Trouble speaking or walking
• Combative or irritable behavior
• Cognitive/sensory problems

It’s important to remember that some TBIs do not immediately produce symptoms, sometimes not for weeks or even months after the initial injury. If you’ve suffered a head injury in an accident, seek a full medical evaluation as soon as possible, maintain all of your medical records, document your daily life and the injury’s effects in a journal, and speak with an experienced personal injury attorney who will fight for your compensation.

If you or a loved one has suffered a traumatic brain injury as a result of negligence, contact 844 See Mike for a free consultation. We are a Chicago-based injury law firm representing individuals (and their families) who have suffered an injury in an accident. We will handle your case quickly and advise you every step of the way, and we will not hesitate to go to trial for you.

Lastly, 844 See Mike is not paid attorneys’ fees unless we win your case. Our no-fee promise is that simple. You have nothing to risk when you hire us – only the opportunity to seek justice.