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What You Should Do If You Have Symptoms of a Traumatic Brain Injury in Belleville

Published: Aug 21, 2018 in Serious Injuries

Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are extremely common after a serious accident. Whether you are in a car crash, work accident, sports injury, or another type of unexpected incident, you should be aware of the symptoms of a TBI. Read below to find out more about TBI symptoms and what to do if you are concerned.

TBIs and other injuries can lead to significant medical expenses. If your injuries were caused by someone else’s negligence or wrongful actions in Belleville, they should be held liable for your losses. Call an experienced traumatic brain injury lawyer at The Cates Law Firm, LLC at 618-277-3644, or contact us online to schedule a free, initial case evaluation.

Traumatic Brain Injuries in Illinois

According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, 286,963 people experienced TBIs in 2014. Among those individuals, 1,644 suffered fatal injuries, and 271,974 received medical treatment in an emergency room. Many more people experienced TBIs and did not seek treatment, or they did not report their injuries. The primary causes of TBIs in Illinois are car accidents, being struck by or against something, unintentional falls, and firearms.

Causes of TBIs in Belleville

You can suffer from a TBI in Belleville for a number of reasons. If you’re injured in a car accident, fall from a tall height at work, are assaulted, or find yourself suffering from nursing home abuse, you may incur a TBI as a result of your incident. No matter the cause of your harm, you should reach out to a traumatic brain injury lawyer from our firm from help. We can guide you through the legal process while you focus on healing.

Common TBI Symptoms

If you were involved in an accident where you experienced trauma, you should be aware of the symptoms of TBI. If you exhibit any of the following, then you should immediately seek medical attention:

  • Concussion
  • Loss of consciousness
  • Dizziness or confusion
  • Headache
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Drowsiness
  • Confused or slurred speech
  • Inability to sleep or unusual sleepiness
  • Loss of balance
  • Change in vision, hearing, taste, or smell
  • Memory problems
  • Mood changes
  • Seizures
  • Pupil dilation
  • Clear fluid draining from nose or ears

What to Do After Head Trauma

If you experience head trauma or are in an accident that caused a TBI, then you should take the following steps:

  1. Seek emergency medical attention right away.
    Even if you are unsure about your condition, you should be assessed for TBI. A traumatic brain injury can develop over time, so you may not immediately realize you are injured.
  2. Prevent further damage.
    If you experience trauma at work, school, or in a motor vehicle accident, remove yourself from the situation as quickly as possible. Do not go back out onto the sports field or return to work right away. Allow your body time to rest and recover.
  3. See a specialist.
    Some TBIs cannot be diagnosed through MRIs or CAT scans. A specialist can recognize minute symptoms and run extensive tests on you to determine if you have a mild, moderate, or severe TBI.
  4. Monitor yourself over time.
    Some TBI symptoms take time to develop. Although you may think you did not sustain an injury immediately after an accident, your symptoms may show up later.
  5. Call a traumatic brain injury lawyer.
    If you were injured due to someone else’s actions or negligence, then you may be able to recover compensation to cover your medical bills and other losses. Contact a traumatic brain injury lawyer to learn more about this option.

Contact a Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyer From Our Firm for Help

Traumatic brain injuries can be devastating. They often have results that will impact your medical health for years to come. You may think you have just a concussion, but your symptoms may worsen. You should immediately seek medical assistance and call a traumatic brain injury lawyer after an accident. An attorney at The Cates Law Firm, LLC can help. Contact us at 618-277-3644 to schedule a free consultation.