Blunt Force Head Trauma — Cause and Effect
August 16, 2024 | Sagi Shaked | Brain Injuries
Blunt trauma to the head or face can lead to severe injuries, pain, and lasting consequences. Blunt force head trauma can be caused by any impact on your head that doesn’t penetrate your skull. While most people think of violent crimes when they hear the phrase, serious head injuries are often linked to acts of negligence.
Here’s everything you need to know about blunt force head trauma, including common causes and the potential effects it can have on your life.
What Is Blunt Force Trauma?
Blunt force head trauma occurs when someone suffers a sudden impact from a surface or object. The impact is non-penetrating and can result from falls, vehicle accidents, sports injuries, assaults, and workplace incidents.
Numerous factors influence the severity of the trauma, including:
- The mass of the object that struck you
- The speed that it was traveling
- How fast you were moving
- The angle of impact
No two blunt-force trauma incidents are the same. Even minor variations in the angle of impact can have severe consequences for your brain and body. Therefore, it’s vital to seek medical attention anytime you hit your head. A medical professional can determine the scope and severity of your injuries and make recommendations for treatment.
It’s important to understand the potential causes of blunt force trauma.
Falls
A fall from any height can cause blunt-force trauma. For example, if you slip on an icy surface and hit the back of your head on the pavement, you could experience blunt force trauma. These types of injuries are especially common among older adults and children.
Motor Vehicle Crashes
Car crashes are one of the most common causes of head trauma. Colliding with a vehicle, a wall, or another solid object can jolt your head forward. There are lots of different hard surfaces in the car that your head could impact, including your driver’s side window or steering wheel.
Sports Injuries
Contact sports such as football and hockey can lead to head trauma. Even if you are wearing a helmet, you can experience hard impacts on your head and harm to your brain.
Assaults
Violent acts can cause severe head trauma. Strikes from punches, kicks, and blunt objects can all lead to injuries.
Workplace Incidents
Construction site accidents, such as being struck by falling objects, are common causes of head injuries. If you work in a dynamic environment, be aware of your surroundings at all times. If required, wear your helmet.
Effects of Blunt Head Trauma
An impact on your head can cause immediate and ongoing symptoms.
Some of the most immediate consequences may include:
- Confusion
- Personality changes
- Partial paralysis
- Convulsions
- Loss of consciousness
- Bleeding
- Blurred vision
- Severe headache
- Vomiting
If you experience any of these symptoms, seek medical attention right away. Some symptoms might not manifest immediately. However, you should seek treatment even if you do not feel injured. It’s especially important to see a medical professional if you lose consciousness.
In addition to the above symptoms, blunt force head trauma can also lead to a traumatic brain injury and other repercussions.
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and Other Long-Term Consequences
A traumatic brain injury is one of the most severe consequences of a blow to the head. The condition can range from mild and temporary to severe and permanent. You may experience symptoms like headaches, dizziness, personality changes, and sensitivity to light or sound.
Other long-term repercussions of blunt head trauma include post-concussion syndrome, cognitive problems, and neurological disorders. These symptoms can severely diminish your quality of life and make it difficult to carry out basic tasks.
How Long Does It Take To Recover from Blunt Trauma?
Your road to recovery will vary depending on your age, health, and the severity of your injuries. If you suffer a TBI, your recovery can take months or even years. Some people never make a full recovery.
It’s important to hold those responsible for your injury accountable. A personal injury lawyer can help you file a claim against those who caused your blunt trauma and seek monetary compensation for what you endured.
Can You Seek Compensation for Blunt Force Injuries?
In most cases, yes. You can seek compensation for blunt force injuries if the responsible party injured you via negligence or an intentional act. A personal injury lawyer will provide a free evaluation of your case and help determine whether you are eligible for compensation. Here are a few things that you may be able to obtain compensation for:
Medical Bills
A lawyer will collect detailed records of your medical expenses. They will document your immediate care costs, ongoing treatment, medications, and any physical therapy that you require. They will calculate the total cost of these medical needs and seek compensation to cover your expenses.
Pain and Suffering
You can also seek compensation for the physical pain and emotional anguish you endured from your accident. A personal injury lawyer will help determine a fair settlement amount based on the severity of your condition and how long your recovery process is.
Lost Wages
If you missed work due to your blunt trauma, you can request compensation for lost wages. Your claim should include any hours you’ve already missed as well as any future time off from work due to the injury.
If You’ve Been Injured, Act Fast
Blunt force trauma may be grounds for a personal injury claim. If you’ve been injured by a fall, a car crash, or the intentional acts of another, it’s important to act fast. The sooner you connect with an experienced personal injury lawyer, the better your odds of recovering fair compensation.
An experienced attorney will get to the bottom of your blunt-force trauma incident. They will gather all pertinent facts, interview witnesses, and negotiate on your behalf. They are committed to obtaining justice for you.
Contact Our Personal Injury Law Firm in Miami, FL
If you’ve been injured in an accident in Miami, FL and need legal help, contact our Miami personal injury lawyers at Shaked Law Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation.
Shaked Law Personal Injury Lawyers
20900 NE 30th Ave Suite 715
Aventura, FL 33180
(786) 705-8864