The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that there are more than 2.5 million emergency department visits, hospitalizations or deaths associated with head injuries each year in the United States. Despite these shocking statistics, many head injuries go undetected until days or even weeks after the onset of the injury.
If you or a loved one has suffered some type of head injury in an accident, it is imperative that you seek immediate medical attention for the possibility of head trauma. A head injury may remain asymptomatic until some time after the accident. As such, you should look for the more subtle signs that may be present immediately after the accident.
What Is a Head Injury and Concussion?
Head injuries are often categorized as either serious or mild. A serious head or brain injury occurs after an injury, resulting in functional changes that occur in how the brain operates. Often, no structural damage can be seen on standard imaging tests, such as a CT scan. A mild brain or head injury is defined as a short-lived loss of brain function resulting from a head trauma that resolves spontaneously.
Head and brain injuries, whether mild or serious, occur when a sufficient force causes the brain to bounce against the rigid bones of the skull. While the cerebrospinal fluid, in which the brain floats, and the skull provide protection to the brain to withstand many of the minor injuries that occur in daily life, a serious accident or blow to the head can cause serious damage.
Signs and Symptoms To Look For
Concussions can be an easy diagnosis when a victim gets knocked out or is slow to get up after an accident. However, most often, concussions and head injuries are subtle and even the accident victim may not be aware that the brain has been shaken. Being unconscious is not a requirement for diagnosis of a head injury. In fact, symptoms may be delayed by hours or even days from the trauma that has irritated the brain. As such, it is important for accident victims, or their loved ones, to be extra vigilant of any signs or symptoms after an accident that may indicate a head injury.
Below are some typical signs and symptoms of a head injury or concussion:
- Unusual headaches
- Dizziness or disorientation
- Seizure or convulsions
- Nausea or vomiting
- Confusion or disorientation
- Balance and coordination issues
- Agitation
- Memory loss
- Challenges in oral and/or written communication
- Difficulty concentrating and/or following directions
- Slurred speech
- Depression
Call a New York Head Injury Attorney Today
If you or a loved one has suffered or believe you have suffered a head injury in an accident that was caused by the reckless actions of another party, you may have a valid personal injury claim and be entitled to monetary compensation. For more information or to consult with one of our experienced New York head injury attorneys, please call Gersowitz Libo & Korek, P.C. at 1-800-529-9997.
