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The difference between a concussion and a traumatic brain injury (TBI) is that a TBI is much more serious and affects the victim for longer. Concussions are minor head injuries.
A concussion is considered a traumatic brain injury, but not all TBIs fit the description of concussions. Falls, car accidents, physical trauma or abuse, and sports are some of the many causes of both concussions and TBIs.
What Is a Traumatic Brain Injury?
TBIs occur when a traumatic event causes damage to the brain. Mayo Clinic states that some TBIs are mild and manifest as headaches or dizziness that only last a few days. Some traumatic brain injuries are very serious with long-lasting effects, such as personality changes or memory problems. Such a severe injury may require surgery. You might face:
- Headaches
- Confusion
- Slurred speech
- Dizziness
- Blurred vision
- Ringing ears
- Nausea and vomiting
- Seizures
- Fatigue or lethargy
- Changes in sleep
- Loss of sensation in fingers and toes
- Behavioral or mood changes
- Problems with memory, focus, attention, or thinking
Be sure to go to a hospital and get several tests done to diagnose a TBI. Do not diagnose yourself or another person.
What Is a Concussion?
MedlinePlus states that a concussion is a mild kind of traumatic brain injury that occurs when your brain moves and hits the inside of the skull, causing bruising. The amount of brain damage determines the concussion’s severity.
Common Concussion Symptoms
Symptoms of a concussion can begin immediately, or they may come on gradually over a few hours after the accident. These symptoms may include any of the following:
- Headache
- A feeling of pressure in the head
- Confusion
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Slurred speech
- Inability to sleep
- Seizures
If you hit your head in an accident or violent situation, take the time to get checked for a concussion by a medical professional.
What Should You Do if You Suspect a Concussion?
If you have been hit on the head and suspect that you’ve suffered a concussion, these are a few typical recommendations:
- Avoid bright and flashing lights
- Rest your brain and avoid overstimulation
- Avoid media, intense exercise, and taxing mental problems
- Monitor your symptoms closely and write them down
- Rest
- Avoid driving, as your perception and risk assessment may be flawed
- Avoid pain relievers, as they may mask symptoms
- Get to an emergency room for a proper checkup
Have someone monitor your symptoms for a while after the injury to ensure that it is not severe.
How Do Doctors Treat TBIs?
Treatments for traumatic brain injuries vary from mild to severe and uncomplicated to complicated. If you suspect a TBI, please seek medical help immediately. For all types of traumatic brain injuries, counseling is offered as an option for treatment. Since most TBIs are due to domestic violence, car accidents, and accidents on the job, many people need help processing afterward.
Surgery and rehabilitation are additionally offered for more severe and complicated head injuries. Patients are then encouraged to return to normal activities, initially under the supervision of a physical therapist.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that in 2018 in the United States of America, over 200,000 people were hospitalized with brain injuries.
Anyone can experience a traumatic brain injury, and it remains a leading cause of disability and death in the United States.
Can You Pursue Legal Action for a TBI?
If you’ve suffered any kind of traumatic brain injury due to another party’s negligence, you could pursue legal action for compensation. To pursue a personal injury case involving brain injury, there are a few things you need. You will need to prove negligence or misconduct. You will also need to potentially fight comparative fault claims and calculate damages. This is where our injury lawyers come in.
Our personal injury lawyers have dealt with thousands of cases. With our help, your traumatic brain injury doesn’t have to cost you financially. Our experience handling these kinds of cases helps us secure fair compensation. TBIs are stressful enough without worrying about the legalities of obtaining justice for yourself or your loved ones. Don’t go at it alone.
Call George Sink, P.A. Injury Lawyers Today So We Can Get Started
To begin the process, you can call George Sink, P.A. Injury Lawyers. Consultation with us is free of charge, and we will answer any questions you have. From there, we can assign you a lawyer to help you get the justice you deserve.
The difference between a concussion and a traumatic brain injury could affect your possible compensation award. Let us look at your case.