Tracy Morgan gave an emotional speech at the Emmys in September referring to his “long road back” after suffering a traumatic brain injury in an automobile crash 15 months earlier, which left him in a coma for eight days. Morgan survived his injuries; however, many victims of traumatic brain injury do not survive. According to the Centers for Disease Control, TBI (traumatic brain injury) is a contributing factor in approximately 30% of all injury deaths in the United States. For the individuals who survive, some suffer life-long disabilities that impair their cognitive, emotional, and/or physical abilities.

Your first and most important step is to seek immediate medical attention if you believe you may have suffered any type of brain injury. Your next step should be to consult an attorney with experience handling traumatic brain injury claims. The Levinson Law Group cares about what happened to you and how it has changed your life and the lives of your family. If your TBI was caused by another person’s negligence, our personal injury attorneys and staff want to help you hold the guilty party accountable for his or her actions. We accept cases on a contingent fee, which means if there is no recovery in your case, you pay no fee. And in most cases, we even advance the costs. For your free consultation, call (760) 642-5475 today.

What Causes a Traumatic Brain Injury?

A traumatic brain injury or TBI occurs from a blow to the head or sharp jolt to the head that disrupts normal brain function and/or physically damages the brain tissue and nerves. The blow to the head does need to penetrate the skull to cause devastating, permanent damage. The leading causes of TBI are slip and fall accidents and vehicle crashes; however, TBIs from sporting accidents and violence are also increasing in number.

Slip and fall accidents are the number one cause of TBIs in the United States. Examples include unsafe walking conditions, improperly lighted areas, and workplace accidents. Vehicle crashes involving motorcycles, automobiles, commercial trucks, bicycles, and pedestrians are the second leading cause of traumatic brain injury. Regardless of the cause, the consequences from a TBI can be devastating leaving the victim unable to care for himself or herself due to the physical and cognitive damage from the injury.

How Can I Tell If I Have a Traumatic Brain Injury?

In some cases, a TBI may be immediately diagnosed as in the case of Tracy Morgan’s eight-day coma or in the case when a brain injury results from a blow to the head that penetrates the skull. Unfortunately, in many cases, symptoms from a traumatic brain injury may not be recognized for days or weeks following the injury. Common symptoms that may indicate you have suffered a traumatic brain injury include:

• Loss of consciousness for any period of time
• Headaches
• Being confused or disoriented
• Vomiting or nausea
• Sleeping problems
• Being dizzy or loss of balance
• Blurred vision, slurred speech, ringing in the ears, changes in smell or taste, or sensitivity to light or sound
• Mood swings
• Changes in personality
• Problems concentrating
• Feelings of anxiety, depression, or fear

If you have suffered a blow or jolt to the head during a fall, vehicle crash, or other type of accident, you should seek immediate medical attention regardless of whether you suffer any symptoms at that time. It is important to have an accurate diagnosis to ensure you receive the proper medical treatment to avoid further complications from the injury. Only a medical professional can correctly diagnose a traumatic brain injury and advise you of the proper treatment in your case.

Levinson Law Group – Brain Injury Attorney in Carlsbad, CA – For your free consultation, call (760)642-5475 today.