Traumatic Brain Injury

Understanding the Symptoms of a Traumatic Brain Injury in San Diego

December 23, 2018 Injury Lawyer San Diego 0

Our bodies are built to withstand trauma and impact in a variety of accidents; however, there are many times when the human body cannot cope with the injuries suffered in an accident. One of the most serious and long-lasting forms is a traumatic brain injury (TBI).

A head injury accident can occur in a variety of manners ranging from sports accidents to car crashes. While some are readily noticeable, many TBIs can go undetected without an understanding of the signs. To protect yourself and loved ones from TBIs and the dangerous effects of leaving one untreated, be on the lookout for these symptoms as listed by the Mayo Clinic:

Mild TBI

  • Temporary loss of consciousness or a state of confusion and disorientation;
  • Headache;
  • Dizziness, nausea, and/or vomiting;
  • Mood swings, depression, or anxiety; and
  • Changes in sleep patterns, including difficulty sleeping or excess sleeping.

Moderate to Severe TBI

  • Prolonged loss of consciousness or profound confusion;
  • Loss of coordination, bladder control, and/or bowel control;
  • Dilation of one or both pupils;
  • Clear fluid draining from nose or ears;
  • Convulsions or seizures;
  • Unusual behavior, such as combativeness or agitation;
  • Persistent or worsening headache; and slurred speech.

Child TBI

  • Change in nursing, eating, and/or sleeping habits;
  • Unusually irritable or depressed;
  • Persistent crying and unable to be consoled;
  • Altered attention span; and
  • Loss of interest in favorite activities and/or toys.

Any and all of these symptoms may mean you or someone you know has suffered a TBI and requires immediate medical attention. Any form of traumatic brain injury can result in devastating consequences that can alter a person’s life forever. If you have suffered a TBI from the negligence or oversight of another, a San Diego ssi lawyer can help you win compensation to deal with your injuries from the responsible party. Contact us today for a consultation.

Recovering from a Traumatic Brain Injury in San Diego

May 14, 2018 Injury Lawyer San Diego 0

About 1.7 million U.S. residents suffer a traumatic brain injury (TBI) each year, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). About 75% of these injuries are mild, offering a chance of complete or near-complete recovery. The more serious a TBI is, or the more TBIs suffered over time, the more likely it is that permanent disabilities will result.

To help maximize the chances of recovery, the CDC recommends the following care tips:

  • Avoid suffering another blow to the head, which could cause another TBI. Stay out of sports, workplaces, and other situations where head trauma is likely. Get someone to “spot” you if you have trouble walking after an injury, as a fall could also cause re-injury.
  • Rest. Plenty of rest is necessary for the brain to heal itself. Take time off work or school if needed to give your TBI a chance to heal.
  • Your ability to react to dangers is often decreased after a TBI. Ask your doctor when it’s safe for you to return to driving, work, or other activities that require you to be alert.
  • Avoid alcohol and any drugs other than those your doctor has prescribed.
  • See your doctor immediately if you begin vomiting, losing consciousness, suffer severe headaches, or cannot stay awake.

Even mild traumatic brain injuries can leave lingering disabilities, and moderate or serious ones can cause permanent injury or death. Our knowledgeable San Diego traumatic brain injury attorneys can help you get the compensation you need after an accident. Call us today for a free and confidential consultation.

New Study Links Parkinson’s Disease Drug to Faster Brain Injury Recovery

March 6, 2018 Injury Lawyer San Diego 0

Traumatic brain injuries claim the lives of thousands every year and leave thousands more with long-term debilitating injuries. As such, the hunt for better treatment for traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) is an ongoing process for doctors, scientists, and researchers around the world looking to increase the rate of recovery and chances for survival. The latest breakthrough comes courtesy of a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, which found that the drug amantadine, commonly used to treat Parkinson’s disease, helped TBI victims in a vegetative state recover more quickly and regain the ability to understand others and communicate than those who did not take the drug.

During the course of the six-year study, 184 patients were submitted to tests and observation, with 97 receiving a placebo and 87 receiving regular doses of amantadine. According to the study, fewer people who received the medication remained in a vegetative state after four weeks than those who did not. After four weeks, these patients were more likely to be able to follow simple commands, sustain attention, and recognize and use common objects.

Currently, the full effects of amantadine on the patients are not completely understood, but the drug helps to increase dopamine in a patient’s brain, increasing his or her attention, drive, and wakefulness.

The use of the drug is seen as promising by researchers as it helps to aid in the recovery stage of patients with TBIs who enter a vegetative state. Often, these types of patients switch from trauma centers to nursing facilities with no time specifically dedicated to rehabilitation, according to the lead author of the study.

Victims who suffer a TBI are often subjected to lengthy recovery times and injuries that may never fully heal. As such, it is important to find compensation from those responsible for these injuries to aid in the treatment and care necessary for a TBI. If you or a loved one has suffered such an injury, call the San Diego traumatic brain injury attorneys to find out how we can aid you in your case.

San Diego Brain Injury Attorneys

February 21, 2018 Injury Lawyer San Diego 0

The brain is a very important organ in our body. It is also very fragile and subject to injury when we strike our head in an accident or we suffer a skull fracture, so people need to do everything in their power to ensure that no damage comes to their brain. The personal injury attorneys take on brain injury claims every year. We have been representing brain injury clients for several years and we can help you and your friends and family if they ever suffer a brain injury following an injury accident.

For more information about how our office can help you with your brain injury case, please contact us for a free consultation.

Traumatic Brain Injury Diagnosed in Sixth Former NFL Player

January 30, 2018 Injury Lawyer San Diego 0

A 6th former National Football League player has been diagnosed with traumatic brain injuries similar to what boxers suffer from multiple blows to the head.

Doctors at Boston University School of Medicine studied the brain of Tom McHale and determined that he suffered from a traumatic brain injury before his death last May. McHale was 45 and played in the NFL from 1987-1995 for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

According to McHale’s family, injuries from football and dealing with his pain led to a psychological downturn:

McHale played on N.F.L. offensive lines for nine seasons, most of them with the Buccaneers, before retiring and running several Tampa-area restaurants. According to his widow, Lisa, he developed such chronic pain in his shoulders and other joints that in 2005 he began taking improperly large doses of the painkiller OxyContin, which exacerbated his lethargy and depression and led him to take cocaine occasionally to offset those effects.

McHale spiraled downward, went through drug rehabilitation three times, and died on May 25, 2008, of a lethal — and deemed by the police, accidental — combination of oxycodone and cocaine. His death shocked many former teammates and players, several of whom remembered him as an intelligent and responsible man.

Doctors concluded that McHale’s condition was the result of repetitive head trauma. In some cases, McHale’s condition can lead to the onset of dementia.

In serious car accidents, people can be subjected to significant forces to their head and brain–not unlike what a boxer or football player experiences. In some cases, this leads to concussions. In others, it leads to traumatic brain injuries. It’s important to keep McHale’s story in mind when we start to see possible signs of traumatic brain injury. In some cases, the injury can progress as severely as McHale’s condition.