Photo Credit: 123RF Stock Photo[/caption] Brain injuries affect approximately 1.5 million people in the U.S. every year, according to WebMD. Medical costs and lost productivity are estimated at between $48 billion and $60 billion per year. Common causes of traumatic brain injuries include car accidents, commercial truck accidents, medical malpractice, slip and fall accidents, and sports injuries. The severity of a head injury depends on the type of injury, as well as obtaining prompt medical treatment for any serious conditions. Because many head injuries appear to be mild at first, but can, in fact, be serious and life-threatening injuries, it is important to recognize the early signs of a head injury. If you have been in an auto accident or other accident, you should see a doctor as a soon as possible, even if you are showing no signs or symptoms of a head injury. The following are some of the early signs of brain injury:
- Memory difficulties, including the inability to recollect events in the immediate past or the inability to recollect basic information, such as a phone number or address.
- Changes in perception, including increased sensitivity to light or sound, olfactory hallucinations, blurry vision, or double vision.
- Changes in mood, such as irritability, sadness, nervousness, or anxiety.
- Cognitive symptoms, such as the inability to concentrate, focus, or think clearly.
- Sleep disturbances, including difficulty sleeping, difficulty staying asleep, or sleeping more than usual.
- Physical symptoms, such as glossy eyes, dizziness, headaches, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, trouble walking, or tingling and weakness in your arms or legs.
But traumatic brain injuries don’t just cause immediate injuries, they also have a long-term impact as well. In fact, concussions and other traumatic brain injuries have been associated with a number of long-term medical problems, including depression, fatigue, sleep problems, and increased risk of stroke. In fact, the recent suicides of former football players Junior Seau, Dave Deurson and Ray Easterling have all been linked to long-term health problems from concussions. As we reported, a study out of the United Kingdom found that even concussions and mild head injuries can result in brain damage that is still present one year after the injury. Moreover, concussions and other traumatic head injuries can be especially damaging to children since the brain is still developing, placing them at an increased risk for learning difficulties and other neuropsychological difficulties. Unfortunately, concussions seem to be on the rise for children. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), sports- and recreation-related traumatic brain injuries for those persons under age 19 rose 60 percent from 2001 to 2009. At Steinberg, Goodman & Kalish, our Chicago head injury lawyers are dedicated to protecting the rights of victims of head injuries and their families. If a concussion or other head injury was caused by a car accident, sports injury, defective product, or negligence, we will advocate on your behalf for full and fair financial recovery. Do not hesitate to contact the Chicago head injury lawyers at Steinberg, Goodman & Kalish to schedule a free consultation to discuss a possible personal injury or product liability claim. Additional Information:
- Studies Highlight Concussion Risks in College Football
- Dangers of Concussions and Other Head Injuries
- How to Protect your Kids from Concussions and Other Traumatic Head Injuries
- Long-Term Impact of Concussions and Mild-Head Injuries
Steinberg Goodman & Kalish (www.sgklawyers.com) is dedicated to protecting victims and their families. We handle medical malpractice, product liability, personal injury, wrongful death, auto accidents, professional negligence, birth trauma, and railroad law matters. Contact us at (888) 325-7299 or (312) 445-9084.
