Head Injuries and Concussion

We hear a lot about head injuries and concussions these days, but there’s still a lot that the average person doesn’t know about this form of injury.

What is a Head Injury?

“Head injury” is a term that can describe a wide range of injuries to the scalp, skull, brain, and other tissues and blood vessels in the head. They can range from mild bumps, bruises, and contusions to extremely serious and sometimes fatal injuries. Head injuries are one of the most common causes of long-term disability and death in adults.

One of the most common and potentially severe forms of head injury is Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). TBIs occur when a sudden external force impacts and damages the brain. Around 1.7 million people get TBIs each year.

What is a Concussion?

A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury. They are often caused by a sudden blow to the head, or violent shaking of the head and upper body. Normally, the soft tissues of the brain are protected by a cushion of cerebrospinal fluid inside the skull. A violent blow can cause the brain to slide back and forth and hit the inner walls of the skull, which can cause damage and can impair the brain’s ability to function properly.

Concussions can be caused by any major blow to the skull (such as sports injuries or falls), or any major acceleration and deceleration that causes the upper body to jolt forcefully (like a car accident). Common concussion symptoms include headache, nausea/vomiting, dizziness, fatigue, vision and balance issues, problems with memory or mood, and changes in sleep and thought patterns. These symptoms usually go away on their own within two weeks, but may cause more long-term damage, especially if a person sustains repeated concussions. This is commonly referred to as “post-concussion syndrome.”

What Causes Head Injuries and Concussions?

Head injuries and concussions can be caused by many different things, including:

• Motor vehicle accidents, usually involving a car, motorcycle, bike, and/or pedestrian).
• Falls
• Objects impacting the skull (like falling debris)
• Violence
• Certain sports

What Damage Can Head Injuries and Concussions Cause?

Head injuries can cause many types of brain damage. Some damage may be short-term, with symptoms similar to those found in concussion patients. In the longer term, head injuries can affect a person’s health and ability to function in many ways. Those suffering from severe head injuries may lose fine motor skills, certain senses, the ability to speak and walk, the ability to work, and the ability to do day-to-day tasks in their everyday lives. They may have major mood or personality changes that can impact their relationships and their ability to live their lives normally. They may have increased risk of brain clotting and bleeding disorders, epilepsy, thyroid disorders, depression, and anxiety. People with head injuries may also suffer impaired consciousness, coma, and even death.

When a person receives a head injury or concussion, it can change the entire course of the rest of their lives. It can rob them of their ability to work, to provide for themselves and their family, and even to basically function. They can quickly rack up enormous medical debt, and leave families without a source of income.

Often, these head injuries are caused by the negligence of others. Whether it’s getting T-boned at a stop sign or getting hit on the head by debris from an unsecured construction site, it’s often clear that the injured party was not at-fault or the accident that caused their injury. If you or a loved one has suffered a head injury or concussion, Personal Injury Attorney John Rosenberg is here to help. Attorney Rosenberg is an experienced, knowledgeable, and skillful attorney who has been serving communities in California for many years. If you are in Woodland Hills, CA or the surrounding area and you would like a free consultation about your head injury case, call (818) 530-1770 today.