Concussions and Traumatic Head Injury: What’s the Difference?

Head injuries are among the most life-altering types of trauma a person can experience. While some injuries are dismissed as “just” concussions or a “bump on the head,” it is crucial to treat every such injury seriously. Even a so-called “minor” head injury can lead to long-term complications that affect your ability to work, live independently, or maintain relationships.

Researchers are learning more about head injuries every year, and one thing that has become apparent over the past few years is that head injuries may lead to consequences years after an initial injury.

Protecting yourself means understanding the different types of brain injuries and always getting medical attention promptly if you have suffered any potential head injury.  Protecting yourself also means protecting yourself financially, so you have the resources you need should you need medical care or need to take time off work. The Law Office of Mark A. Siesel can help. If you’ve been injured in Westchester County, New York, or anywhere in the Hudson Valley or beyond, contact our office for a free consultation.

Types of Brain Injuries

It’s important that every head injury be examined by a doctor. Each year, people die because they feel “fine” after hitting their head and they wait too long to seek medical attention. By the time they do develop symptoms and consult with a doctor, it can be too late.

Getting a medical assessment can help you get the right diagnosis and treatment plan early, increasing the chances of recovery. There are a few types of brain injuries you may be diagnosed with:

Concussions

A concussion is a so-called “mild” form of traumatic brain injury (TBI) caused by a sudden jolt or blow to the head. While some people recover within weeks, others experience symptoms that can last for months or years.

Symptoms of a concussion can include:

• Headaches.
• Nausea.
• Dizziness.
• Sensitivity to light.
• Memory problems.
• Mood changes.

While concussions are considered the “mild” form of TBI, they do put you at risk of second-impact syndrome. This is a condition that occurs when you sustain a second head injury before the initial concussion has healed. Even if the initial concussion was mild, second-impact syndrome can be fatal. It causes tissue to shift inside the skull and also causes excess fluid and swelling of the brain, which can damage the brain tissue.

Since second-impact syndrome is a risk, it is essential to take steps to prevent a second injury if you have a concussion.

Even if you heal completely from a concussion, repeat concussions can increase the risk of permanent brain damage. Repeat concussions, even when they are spaced out enough to not put you at risk of second-impact syndrome, can still lead to chronic traumatic encephalopathy. This is a progressive disease that can lead to memory loss, suicidal ideation, aggression, impulsive behavior, poor judgment, anxiety, balance issues, insomnia, and other symptoms.

Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)

A TBI occurs when the brain is injured by an external force, such as a blow to the head. These injuries can occur in car accidents, for example, if an individual’s head hits the dashboard with force. They can also occur in workplaces, where a piece of equipment hits a worker in the head. In domestic abuse situations, they can occur if a victim is violently shaken. TBIs also commonly occur in sports injuries and falls where someone hits their head on a hard surface.

What occurs in a TBI is that the brain shakes violently, crashing against the hard skull. This can cause brain tissue damage, bleeding, bruising, and swelling. Sometimes, there are multiple points of contact. For example, in a car crash, where there is a sudden stop, the driver’s brain may bounce forward and crash against the front of the skull and then bounce backward, crashing against the back of the skull, too.

When bruising and swelling happen inside the skull, there is no give, the way there would be if your foot swelled. As the brain tissue presses up against the skull, additional damage happens. Surgery may be needed to open the skull and relieve some of the pressure, to prevent further damage.

TBIs can be classified as mild, moderate, or severe. Moderate to severe TBIs may involve loss of consciousness as well as long-term physical, cognitive, and emotional impairments. Some individuals with severe TBIs require lifelong around-the-clock care or extensive rehabilitation to regain basic motor and speech functions.

Cerebral Hypoxia

In this type of injury, not enough oxygen reaches the brain. The victim may not hit their head at all, but may experience a near-drowning, where they are not breathing for some time and therefore not getting oxygen. Cerebral hypoxia can also occur when anesthesia errors occur during surgery or when a birth injury happens, depriving an infant of oxygen. Choking, strangulation, dangerously high altitudes, smoke inhalation, carbon monoxide poisoning, pressure on the chest during an accident, or illnesses that cause paralysis of the lungs can all prevent oxygen from reaching the lungs.

When oxygen is cut off, brain cells start dying, often in as little as five minutes. Without emergency medical intervention, cerebral hypoxia can become fatal very quickly. If caught and treated early, patients can recover consciousness and gain back some or most of the physical and cognitive function lost, though long-term symptoms may remain.

Penetrating Head Injuries

This type of injury happens when an object breaks through the skull and damages brain tissue directly. This can happen due to a gunshot wound, explosion, or workplace accident involving sharp or heavy tools. In some cases, falls can also cause the skull to crack, leading to a penetrating brain injury.

Penetrating injuries are often life-threatening and typically require emergency surgery. These injuries can also have significant complications, including serious infection. Survivors may face long-term disabilities.

Life After a Head Injury

Many brain injury patients face a wide range of challenges, including:

• Cognitive impairment, which can cause trouble concentrating, remembering things, processing information, or making decisions.
• Emotional difficulties, such as irritability, depression, anxiety, and changes in personality.
• Physical limitations, including chronic headaches, fatigue, coordination problems, and speech difficulties.
• Loss of independence.
• Impact on relationships due to the logistical and financial pressures of a serious brain injury.

Head injuries can also be incredibly expensive to treat and manage. According to various studies and government data, the lifetime cost of care for someone with a severe TBI can range from hundreds of thousands to several million dollars. Costs may include medical care, personal care, rehabilitation and therapy, medical equipment, and more. Patients may be unable to work or may have reduced earning potential. They may need to make home modifications or even move to a more accessible location.

Since the impact on your life and finances can be significant, consult with a brain injury attorney as soon as possible after your injury. A personal injury lawyer with experience in brain injury cases can explain whether you have a legal claim which can help you seek compensation for your losses and any expected future medical costs and lost earnings capacity.

Consult With Us

The Law Office of Mark A. Siesel was founded by Mark Siesel, who has almost 40 years of experience helping individuals like you. Our team works with medical professionals, vocational experts, and other professionals who can help us establish what caused your injury and what your injury may end up costing long-term. Our goal is to build a strong case so we can pursue fair compensation that covers more of your expenses.

We care about your life moving forward, not just your case. When you work with us, we review your concerns and plans, so we can seek the resources you need to live the fullest life possible. We genuinely care and always reply to you within 24 hours when you reach out (and often sooner).

Let us explain whether you have a claim. If you have sustained a brain injury in Westchester County, New York, or anywhere in the Hudson Valley or surrounding areas, contact our office for a free consultation.