Blunt Force Trauma to The Head

Blunt Force Trauma to The Head

Blunt force trauma to the head can result in severe, moderate, or mild traumatic brain injury (TBI). A jolt, bump, or blow to the head could result in brain and head injuries. Likewise, various situations could result in blunt force trauma to the head, including:

• Motor vehicle accidents
• Bicycle accidents
• Pedestrian accidents
• Truck accidents
• Construction accidents
• Slips and falls
• Daycare accidents
• Nursing home accidents
• Medical malpractice incidents
• Defective products
• Sports
• Recreational activities
• Violent crimes

Symptoms of Blunt Force Trauma to The Head

Brain injuries are among the most serious and devastating injuries an individual can sustain. The more serious brain injuries could even cause permanent and life-changing disabilities. Unfortunately, TBIs are not always easy to diagnose, which is often the case with blunt force trauma to the head. In some cases, an individual could suffer from a TBI without knowing it. In many closed head injuries, such as blunt force trauma, the symptoms are delayed and the physical damage invisible. Bruising might develop, but this usually takes some time and does not always happen. This also means that you may not know that you have already suffered injuries until you develop symptoms. Symptoms of blunt force trauma to the head also vary. They may be mild and seemingly negligible, such that some people assume that they just have a headache. On the other hand, some people can experience severe and immediate symptoms. On the milder side, blunt force trauma to the head could present the following symptoms:

• Headache
• Loss of consciousness that lasts for several seconds to minutes
• Feeling disoriented, confused, or dazed but still conscious
• Vomiting or nausea
• Drowsiness or fatigue
• Speech issues
• Sleeping difficulties
• Sleeping more than normal
• Loss of balance or dizziness
• Sudden light sensitivity
• Double or blurry vision
• Tinnitus – a sensation of the ringing in the ear
• Concentration or memory problems
• Changes in smell or taste
• Mood swings or changes
• Feeling anxious or depressed

Likewise, moderate and more severe TBIs resulting from blunt force trauma to the head could present any of the previously mentioned symptoms of mild TBIs. However, more severe TBI’s can have symptoms that present hours or days after the head injury, which could include:

• A headache that worsens or persists
• Prolonged loss of consciousness
• Repeated nausea or vomiting
• Seizures or convulsions
• Dilated pupils
• Loss of coordination
• Inability to be awakened from sleep
• Drainage of clear fluids from the ears and/or nose
• Numbness or weakness in the toes and/or fingers
• Extreme confusion or disorientation
• Heavily slurred speech
• Combativeness, agitation, aggression, or other unexpected behaviors

If you or a loved one experiences any of these symptoms following blunt force trauma to the head due to an accident, seek medical attention right away to prevent more severe injury or death. Getting proper medical treatment and documenting it will help in proving the exact nature and severity of your injuries when you pursue a personal injury claim against the at-fault party.

Treatment for Blunt Force Trauma to The Head

Doctors may treat milder forms of head and brain injuries with rest and pain relievers. For more serious head injuries resulting from blunt force trauma to the head, however, doctors will need to stabilize the injured victim by managing the blood pressure, monitoring the pressure inside the skull, and ensuring that the brain is getting adequate oxygen. Surgeons may need to operate and remove hematomas between the skull and brain or inside the brain or alleviate pressure inside the skull. Likewise, they may perform surgery to drain excess fluid and repair any fractures in the skull. While TBIs may not respond directly to medications, doctors may prescribe drugs to treat related conditions, such as:

• Blood clots
• Seizures
• Fatigue
• Muscle spasms
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Chronic pain
• Breathing disorders or pneumonia
• Bedsore or pressure ulcers
• Bladder and bowel problems
• Abnormal blood pressure
• Sexual dysfunction

Additionally, treatment from brain injuries resulting from blunt force trauma to the head will usually include rehabilitation services such as speech therapy, occupational, and physical therapy, social support, and psychiatric care. Rehabilitation may also help improve the injured victim’s ability to perform daily activities, manage physical and mental issues resulting from the injury, and help the individual adapt more easily to the various and sudden changes happening with their body and brain.

Complications of Blunt Force Trauma to The Head

Blunt force trauma to the head that results in traumatic brain injuries could likewise cause other permanent or temporary complications, such as:

• Coordination, balance, and movement issues
• Sensory deficits
• Pituitary gland damage, resulting in thyroid disorders and decreased hormone production
• Communication, speech, and memory problems
• Post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD
• Ongoing psychological or mood disorders

Severe brain injuries could result in more severe complications due to permanent or temporary brain damage. For example, individuals with fractured skulls have a higher infection risk because fractures could sometimes tear the membrane surrounding the brain, giving bacteria easy access to the wound. Furthermore, individuals with more severe brain injuries may go into a minimally conscious state, vegetative state, or a coma. With these consciousness disorders, injured victims can't always stay awake for longer periods, have a limited ability to communicate or follow instructions, and have more limited awareness.

Seek Legal Advice from an Experienced Personal Injury Lawyer

If you or a family member sustained severe head or brain injuries and/or you may suffer delayed symptoms, it's best to discuss your case with a skilled personal injury lawyer. Cases involving brain or head injuries are usually high-dollar claims because of the impact on the victim’s life and extensive treatment required. Insurance providers know this and will work fast to get claimants to settle for less than what their claim is really worth.  Insurance carriers will also often deny the existence of brain injuries unless an MRI or CT scan shows brain damage, which often does not occur even in cases of serious brain injury. Before speaking with the at-fault party's insurance provider, learn more about your case and legal options by speaking to an experienced personal injury lawyer.