Brain injuries can profoundly impact an individual’s physical, emotional, and cognitive functioning. Various incidents, including slip and fall accidents, car crashes, and work injuries, can cause brain injuries.
Accurately diagnosing a brain injury is crucial for developing an effective treatment plan and minimizing the long-term effects of the injury. It is also necessary in order to prove damages in a personal injury claim and receive compensation.
Signs You or Loved One May Have a Brain Injury
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is caused by a blow, jolt, or penetrating injury to the head that disrupts the brain’s normal functioning. It is important to note that you can receive a brain injury without your head impacting against something. For example, your head may be jolted in a car accident, causing your brain to impact the inside of your skull and become injured that way.
TBIs can range in severity from mild to severe and have many symptoms, including but not limited to:
- Loss of consciousness
- Headache
- Confusion
- Dizziness or loss of balance
- Sensory issues with light or sound
- Nausea or vomiting
- Short or long-term memory problems
- Slurred speech
- Seizures
If you are experiencing one or more of the above symptoms after an accident, you may have suffered a TBI.
How to Prove Your Brain Injury to Receive Compensation
If you suffered a brain injury due to someone else’s negligence, you have the right to seek a settlement to help you pay for your damages, including medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. However, you must prove your brain injury and subsequent damages to receive compensation from the other party’s insurer.
An Indianapolis brain injury attorney from Wagner Reese can help you file a successful brain injury claim. They will help you gather the evidence needed to prove your case, such as medical records, eyewitness statements, and expert testimony.
In a brain injury case, a medical diagnosis from a qualified doctor with experience treating brain injuries is essential. Your lawyer will help you receive appropriate testing from a medical professional to accurately diagnose your injuries, receive necessary care, and estimate your short and long-term damages.
Initial Tests Used to Diagnose a TBI
Several initial tests are commonly used to diagnose traumatic brain injuries (TBI). These tests assess the injury’s severity and identify potential complications.
- The Glasgow Coma Scale: The Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) is a scoring system used to assess a person’s level of consciousness following a head injury. The test measures the ability to open their eyes, respond to verbal commands, and move their limbs. The score ranges from 3 to 15, with lower scores indicating more severe injuries.
- CT/CAT Scans: A CT/CAT scan uses X-rays to create detailed images of the brain. This test can help to identify any structural abnormalities, such as bleeding or swelling, in the brain.
- EEG: An electroencephalogram (EEG) is a test that measures the brain’s electrical activity. This test can help to identify abnormal brain waves that may be associated with a brain injury.
- MRI Imaging: Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) uses a magnetic field and radio waves to create detailed images of the brain. This test can help identify structural brain damage, including bleeding, swelling, and changes in brain tissue.
Advanced Testing for Brain Injuries
Advanced testing may be necessary to further evaluate and diagnose brain injuries. These tests can provide a more detailed look at the brain and help doctors understand your injury’s severity.
- Diffuser Tensor Imaging (DTI): DTI is an advanced imaging technique that uses magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to create detailed images of the brain’s white matter tracts. This test can help to identify damage to the brain’s communication networks and the extent of the injury.
- PET Scan: Positron emission tomography (PET) scans use a radioactive tracer to measure brain blood flow and metabolic activity. This test can help to identify areas of the brain that are not functioning properly and may be associated with brain injury.
- Susceptibility-Weighted Imaging (SWI): SWI is a type of MRI sensitive to iron deposits in the brain. This test can help identify areas of the brain damaged due to trauma.
- Neuropsychological Examination: Neuropsychological testing assesses a patient’s cognitive and behavioral functions, such as memory, attention, language, and executive functioning, to identify any impairments or deficits associated with a brain injury.
Get Legal Help After Your TBI
If your TBI was caused by the actions or negligence of another party, such as a reckless driver, you might be entitled to a settlement for your medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages.
At Wagner Reese, we have a team of experienced personal injury attorneys specializing in TBI cases. We understand a brain injury’s physical, emotional, and financial impact and will help you receive the maximum compensation you deserve.
Contact our team today to schedule a free and confidential consultation for your case.