Everything You Need To Know About Blunt Force Head Trauma
January 30, 2024 | Sagi Shaked | Brain Injuries
Blunt force head trauma is one of the scariest and most intense injuries a person can face. Unfortunately, it’s also very common, with nearly 1.7 million adults experiencing head injuries from blunt force trauma each year in the United States alone.
Moving forward after such a severe injury isn’t easy, but it is possible. Here’s what you need to know about blunt force head trauma symptoms, causes, and recovery.
How Is Blunt Force Head Trauma Diagnosed?
Blunt force trauma symptoms look different in every situation, depending on the patient and the severity of their injuries. That said, a diagnosis always begins with professional medical attention.
When assessing a head injury, doctors use the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS). This scale was created in 1974 to objectively determine how severely a medical condition or traumatic event impacted a patient’s awareness and consciousness, and it’s still widely used for head injuries.
By using the GCS as a part of a neurological exam, doctors can quantify how awake, alert, and oriented you are after a traumatic head injury. These results may also indicate certain conditions like concussions or traumatic brain injuries.
Common Blunt Trauma Symptoms
If you even slightly suspect that you or someone else has a head injury, it’s crucial to seek immediate medical attention — even if the wound doesn’t seem severe.
Some of the most common physical, cognitive, and behavioral blunt trauma symptoms to look for include:
- Bumps or bruising
- Headaches
- Light or noise sensitivity
- Irritability
- Confusion
- Imbalance
- Nausea
- Fatigue or sleep issues
- Ringing sound in the ears
- Loss of consciousness
- Memory loss
No two injuries look exactly alike. After an accident, a person may present multiple symptoms of blunt force trauma, or they may only show one or two. No matter how insignificant a head wound seems, you should go to a doctor as soon as possible for a thorough examination.
What Causes Traumatic Head Injuries?
A traumatic head injury can occur any time a blunt object powerfully impacts a person’s head.
Some common causes of these types of injuries include:
These accidents are often difficult to predict or prevent, but you can still reduce your odds of injury by following good safety practices. Wearing a seat belt in the car, investing in a quality bike or motorcycle helmet, and putting on appropriate protective gear during sporting events are a few ways you can protect yourself.
Can I Recover Damages For a Head Injury?
It only takes a split second for a head injury to completely alter the course of your life. Not only are they physically, emotionally, and financially difficult to recover from, but they can also lead to long-lasting — or even permanent — repercussions.
Regardless of the severity of your injury, you may be entitled to compensation if the accident resulted from someone else’s negligence. From hospital bills and lost earnings to pain and suffering, these damages can make it easier for you to recover and move forward.
Healing From a Blunt Force Head Injury
As with any accident, your first step following a suspected head injury should be to speak with a doctor. They can help you create a treatment plan that supports your immediate recovery and long-term well-being.
If you are concerned about medical bills and believe you may be entitled to damages, consider speaking with a personal injury attorney. Recovering compensation after an accident isn’t an easy process, especially if you are still healing, but an attorney may be able to alleviate some of that burden.
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
(305) 937-0191