Signs Your Neck Pain Could Be a Traumatic Brain Injury
August 2, 2024 | Sagi Shaked | Brain Injuries
Neck injuries and traumatic brain injury (TBI) are common accident injuries. You may sustain a neck or head injury in a Miami car accident, workplace accident, slip and fall, accident, and many other unintended incidents.
It is crucial to seek medical assistance after any accident or head injury. Being examined as soon as possible after a head or neck injury is in the best interest of your health.
However, injury symptoms may not start right away. They could begin hours or days after the accident. Therefore, Knowing the symptoms of a TBI can help you recognize when you need to seek additional medical treatment.
What Are the Signs of a Traumatic Brain Injury?
The symptoms of a brain injury vary based on the type and severity of the injury and the person. You may feel dazed for several minutes and hear ringing in your ears. Some brain injury victims experience tiredness, dizziness, nausea, and vomiting.
Mild TBI often heals with time and rest. However, if symptoms persist or worsen, you should see a doctor immediately.
More serious symptoms that indicate you need emergency medical treatment include, but are not limited to:
- Seizures or convulsions
- Loss of consciousness
- Repeated nausea or vomiting
- Slurred speech
- A headache that becomes worse or does not go away
- Inability to wake up or drowsiness
- Confusion
- Numbness, weakness, or decreased coordination
An uncommon symptom that many people may not associate with a traumatic brain injury is neck pain. However, neck pain could be an indication of a severe TBI.
Neck Pain That Could Be Associated With a Traumatic Brain Injury
Many things, including damage to the nerves, tendons, and muscles in the neck, may cause neck pain. An accident can cause tearing or shearing. Damage to the nerves in the neck may result in inflammation, tension, and other symptoms.
Individuals may avoid moving the head or other body parts to avoid pain, which could cause stress on the neck muscles. Misalignment of the spinal column, including vertebrae out of place and herniated discs, could cause neck pain.
Neck pain and symptoms that could indicate a brain injury include:
- Stiffness
- Pain associated with specific movements or behavior
- Tension
- Tingling or weakness in the arms, legs, hands, or fingers
- Pain when looking in specific directions
- Sharp, persistent pain
- Feeling as if your neck will not support the weight of your head
The symptoms could indicate a neck injury but could also be symptoms of a traumatic brain injury. There is a significant overlap in the symptoms of a neck injury and traumatic brain injury. Even if you do not have symptoms of a TBI, see a doctor to diagnose the neck pain and determine if it is a sign of a brain injury.
What Should I Do After a Head or Neck Injury in Miami, FL?
If you are involved in an accident that injures your neck or head, seek immediate medical attention. Only a trained medical provider can diagnose your symptoms accurately to determine if you have a neck injury and/or a traumatic brain injury.
Prompt medical attention is wise, even if you do not believe you sustained an injury. Symptoms may be delayed, or the shock of the accident could mask some symptoms. A physician uses various diagnostic tools to determine the type and severity of an injury.
Your physician documents your symptoms, but you should also keep a journal detailing your symptoms. It helps to note the severity of the symptoms and what you did when you experienced them (i.e., turning your head to the left, reaching your hand above your head, etc.).
The insurance company may contact you about the accident or injury. It is best to seek legal advice before speaking with the insurance company. An insurance adjuster protects the insurance company from liability. They are not your friend or your advocate.
A Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help Recover Compensation for Neck and Traumatic Brain Injuries
If another party causes the accident or incident that resulted in your traumatic brain injury, you may recover compensation for your injuries and damages. TBIs and neck injuries can result in life-long disabilities.
An experienced Miami brain injury lawyer can help you seek maximum compensation for your economic and non-economic damages, including:
- Property damage
- Past and future medical bills
- Disabilities, scarring, impairments, and disfigurement
- Past and future loss of earnings, including lost wages, decreased earning capacity, and benefits
- Mental anguish and emotional distress
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Loss of enjoyment of life and quality of life
- Pain and suffering
- Rehabilitative therapies
- Long-term nursing and/or personal care
Insurance companies generally undervalue damages and offer settlements below the claim’s value. Consult a Miami personal injury lawyer before accepting a settlement offer for a brain injury claim.
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