Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

There is recognized evidence that when people suffer what is termed "mild" Traumatic Brain Injury that is serious enough to alter the level of consciousness even momentarily, or which results in even transient impairment of sensory, motor or cognitive functions, the injury is likely to leave some lasting deficits.

Some insurance companies will try to convince people who have sustained "mild" Traumatic Brain Injury that they do not have a very serious injury. This is not true. There is a strong probability that injuries which are termed as "mild" Traumatic Brain injuries will more than likely have a permanent factor.

It is important to know the term "mild" Traumatic Brain Injury does not always mean that the consequences of this type of injury are "mild" to the individual. These injuries may cause serious and long lasting problems. It is documented that patients who have injuries that initially seem mild, as measured by most accepted methods, can often have relatively poor outcomes, both cognitively and socially.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is classified as mild if loss of consciousness and/or confusion and disorientation is shorter than a half- hour. While MRI and CAT scans are often come back normal the individual still exhibits cognitive problems such as headache, difficulty concentrating, memory problems, attention deficits, mood swings and frustration. These injuries can commonly be overlooked. Even though this type of TBI is classified as "mild", the effect on the family and the injured person can be very devastating.

Other Names For Mild TBI

• Concussion
• Minor head trauma
• Minor TBI
• Minor brain injury
• Minor head injury

Mild Traumatic Brain Injury is:

• Most prevalent TBI
• Often missed at the time of initial injury
• 15% of people with mild TBI have symptoms that last a year or more.
• Defined as the result of the forceful motion of the head or impact that causes a brief change in mental status (confusion, disorientation or loss of memory) or loss of consciousness for less than 30 minutes.
• Post injury symptoms are often referred to as post concussive syndrome.

Common Symptoms of Mild TBI

• Fatigue
• Headaches
• Visual disturbances
• Memory loss
• Poor attention/concentration
• Sleep disturbances
• Dizziness/loss of balance
• Irritability-emotional disturbances
• Feelings of depression
• Seizures

Other Symptoms Associated with Mild TBI

• Nausea
• Loss of smell
• Sensitivity to light and sounds
• Mood changes
• Getting lost or confused
• Slowness in thinking

These symptoms may not be present or noticed initially at the time of injury. They may be delayed days or even weeks before they surface. The symptoms are often difficult to pick up on and can even be missed by the injured party, family and doctors.

The person often looks normal and often moves normal even if they are not feeling or thinking normal. This makes the diagnosis hard . Family and friends often notice changes in behavior before the injured person realizes that he or she is acting strangely. Frustration at work/home or when performing household tasks may bring the person to seek medical care.

At Sam Harding Law Firm, The Good Guy, we understand the problems suffered by people who have sustained "mild" Traumatic Brain Injuries. We know that insurance companies often try to take advantage of unrepresented clients. We work hard for our clients to get them the money they deserve without their having to go to court. We work to get medical bills, lost income and money for pain and suffering. However, should your case require us to litigate, we are prepared to take your case to court. We are an ABOTA and AV rated Martindale Hubbel law firm.