Brain Injuries by Severity

Brain injuries are some of the most devastating injuries a person can experience. Depending on the severity, brain injuries can have a long-term impact on your life.

A Traumatic Brain Injury (“TBI”), as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is a disruption in the normal function of the brain that can be caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head, or penetrating head injury. TBI’s may be classified into three categories, which are described below:

Mild TBI

A mild TBI, also known as a concussion, can result if you have at least one or more of the following symptoms:

Brief, if any, loss of consciousness;
Headaches with or without vomiting;
Lightheadedness and/or dizziness;
Blurred vision or tired eyes;
Sleep disturbance;
Ringing in the ears;
Fatigue or lethargy;
Behavioral mood changes, irritability and/or anger;
Trouble with memory, concentration, attention or thinking;

If symptoms persist for more than three months, this moves the classification into what is referred to as a “mild TBI/Persistent Post-Concussive Syndrome”.

Moderate TBI

A person with a moderate TBI may show the same symptoms as a mild TBI, but may also experience the following symptoms:

Loss of consciousness lasting more than 30 minutes but less than 24 hours;
A headache that gets worse or does not go away;
Repeated vomiting or nausea;
An inability to awaken from sleep;
Dilation of one or both pupils of the eyes;
Slurred speech;
Loss of coordination; and
Increased confusion, restlessness or agitation.

Severe TBI

Severe TBI may be life threatening. A person with a severe TBI may show the same symptoms as a mild TBI and/or moderate TBI, but may also experience the following:

Loss of consciousness lasting for more than 24 hours;
Post-traumatic amnesia for more than 24 hours following the injury;
Seizures or convulsions;
Abnormal brain imaging results with signs of permanent damage; and
Coma, vegetative state of minimally responsive state.

If you have suffered a traumatic brain injury due to someone else’s negligence, you should know your rights to pursue compensation. At Viloria, Oliphant, Oster & Aman, L.L.P., we are committed to providing excellent legal service to our clients with small firm care and big firm results.

Call our firm today at (775) 227-2280 and learn how we can help you.