Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) a form of acquired brain injury.  It occurs when a sudden trauma causes damage to the brain. The damage can be confined to one area of the brain - or it can involve more than one area of the brain and can result from a closed head injury or a penetrating head injury.

A “closed head injury” occurs when the head is suddenly and violently jarred and/or hits an object that does not break through the skull. A “penetrating head injury” occurs when an object pierces the skull and enters brain.

 

The signs and symptoms of Traumatic Brain Injury vary depending on such factors as age and severity.  These Brain Injury symptoms may appear suddenly or may first appear days or weeks following the traumatic event. Brain Injuries may, but not always, involve a loss of consciousness.  Other common symptoms include:

 

• feeling dazed or not like yourself for several days or weeks after the initial injury
  headache (intermittent or constant)
  confusion, lightheadedness, dizziness, restlessness, agitation or loss of coordination
  blurred vision or tired eyes
  ringing in the ears
  bad taste in the mouth
  fatigue or lethargy
  a change in sleep patterns or inability to awaken from sleep
  behavioral or mood changes
  trouble with memory, concentration, attention, or thinking
  repeated vomiting or nausea
  convulsions or seizures
  dilation of one or both pupils of the eyes
  slurred speech
  weakness or numbness in the extremities
  

  Small children with moderate to severe TBI may also show

  persistent crying

  inability to be consoled

  refusal to nurse or eat

It is important to seek medical treatment from a Rhode Island Brain Injury specialist immediately and speak with a Traumatic Brain Injury Attorney if you believe that you or a loved one may have sustained a severe brain injury

 

If you or a loved one has sustained a traumatic brain injury by the fault of another or others for which medical treatment has been obtained, Contact a Rhode Island Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyer.  The experienced attorneys at Mandell, Schwartz & Boisclair stand ready to assist you in evaluating your potential claim.

 

Medical and health information adapted from NINDS and the National Institutes of Health, available at http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/tbi/detail_tbi.htm#169943218.