New York, Los Angeles, Houston and Chicago are often considered the leaders in concentrated medical research and treatment, but in one area Utah is superior to all other cities and states. The Brain Injury Association of Utah, which partners with local hospitals, government agencies and rehabilitation centers, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping people who have sustained brain injuries.
Traumatic Brain Injuries
A traumatic brain injury is damage caused by a force acting upon the head, such as a blow with a blunt object or a puncture with a sharp one. The BIAU divides traumatic brain injuries into five groups:
- Concussion: caused by impact to the skull by an outside force or by shaking.
- Contusion: occurs when force on the head results in a bruise on the surface of the brain.
- Coup-contrecoup: one of the most serious types of TBI, this occurs when the head is impacted with sufficient force to cause the brain to move inside the skull, resulting in contusions on the side of the brain where the impact occurred, as well as on the opposite side.
- Diffuse axonal: nerve tissue damage and brain tearing are sustained in a diffuse axonal TBI, which is caused by a rotational force acting upon the head.
- Penetration: a foreign object penetrates the skull and brain (e.g., knives, bullets or shrapnel).
Any type of traumatic brain injury can cause serious long-term effects and the possibility of chronic symptoms increases if the patient does not receive specialized care immediately following the injury.
Symptoms of TBI
A person who suffers a traumatic brain injury might experience a wide variety of symptoms. In severe cases, for example, patients might suffer chronic seizures, memory loss, cognitive impairment, loss of vision and painful headaches. Some TBIs are fatal.
There are also emotional consequences to a traumatic brain injury, which can include depression, anxiety, mood swings, irritability and difficulty concentrating. The loved ones of a patient with TBI can also suffer emotional consequences, which increases the need for psychological support.
Legal Options for TBI
If you or someone you love has suffered a traumatic brain injury, it is important to contact an attorney who specializes in personal injury, or brain injuries, specifically. He or she can help you explore your options if someone else was at fault for your injury.
