Falling victim to a traumatic brain injury or TBI can be tremendously life-changing. According to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS), “A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is defined as a blow to the head or a penetrating head injury that disrupts the normal function of the brain. ”

There are various types of traumatic brain injuries, including the following:

• Hypoxia: When the brain lacks a sufficient supply of oxygen, brain cells can quickly die.
• Concussion: This type of brain injury is commonly associated with contact sports, but can occur any time you suffer a severe blow to the head.
• Cerebral contusion: Internal bleeding can cause swelling in the brain.
• Coup-Contrecoup injury: When a moving object impacts the head and causes bruising on the brain, a coup injury can occur under the site of impact and a countercoup injury can occur on the side opposite the impacted area.
• Subdural hematoma: A tear in the veins or arteries can lead to a collection of blood on the surface of the brain, which can cause a blood clot.
• Intraventricular hemorrhage: Bleeding into the brain’s ventricular system typically afflicts prematurely born infants in the hours immediately following birth
• Diffuse axonal injury: Lesions in the brain can cause a person to fall into a coma

The most severe types of brain injuries can have a devastating impact on your quality of life. Even a mild brain injury can have long-lasting effects. A brain injury may impair a person’s cognitive abilities, emotional responses, and physical functioning. In some cases, a brain injury can be a cause of death. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 52,000 people in the United States die each year from traumatic brain injuries.

Although wrongful death is certainly the most severe consequence of a brain or spinal injury, it’s not the only one. There are other adverse impacts, including permanent disability and coma. Additionally, the expenses can begin to pile up for hospital bills, long-term medical care, physical therapy, and, in certain cases, home modification expenses.

The National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center (NSCISC) estimates that 12,000 Americans suffer from spinal cord injuries each year with devastating effects on the injured party.

Spinal cord injuries are often caused by severe impact on the spine in a motor vehicle accident. However, sometimes the injury isn’t readily apparent. The extent of a serious spinal cord injury may not become obvious until later when bleeding or swelling occurs in the spinal cord. This is why emergency care is vital if a person believes they have suffered brain and spinal cord injuries.

In any case, if the injuries occurred as the result of someone else’s negligence, then the experienced lawyers at the Law Offices of Craig A. Altman can make a compelling case for you to receive maximum compensation.

The symptoms of a spinal cord injury include:

• Extreme back pain
• Pain in your neck or head
• Numbness in your hands, fingers, feet, or toes
• Sudden difficulty walking: It may be difficult for you to maintain your balance.
• Difficulty breathing
• Loss of movement in parts of your body below the affected area
• Loss of sensation: You may no longer be able to feel heat or cold in parts of your body.
• Loss of bowel or bladder control
• Muscle spasms

Since the spinal cord delivers messages between the brain and the rest of the body, a serious spinal cord injury can have a profound impact on a person’s brain function by inhibiting the ability of the brain to communicate with the body.

Symptoms of brain trauma can include vomiting, lethargy, headaches, confusion, loss of consciousness, blurred vision, personality changes, and more. A full list of symptoms accompanied by head trauma can be found on the AANS website.

The first thing anyone should do if have suffered a brain and spinal cord injury is to seek immediate medical attention. Your health and well-being are paramount.

If you or a family member or other person on your behalf is able, you should follow these general guidelines. It will protect you, make your case stronger and enable your Philadelphia spinal cord injury attorneys to better evaluate your case:

• Obtain copies of the police report and ambulance report
• Collect the names of all parties involved
• Collect the names of witnesses
• Obtain a copy of your medical records
• Journal all facts and details you remember about the accident
• Journal your medical treatment and condition
• Keep all doctor appointments and follow doctor’s orders for recovery and treatment
• Do not speak to the other party’s insurance adjusters
• Do not give a recorded statement to an adjuster or car insurance company
• Do not admit fault to any parties, witnesses, insurance adjusters, or others
• Stay off social media (no comments, photos, or updates on your status)