Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) or Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (MTBI) resulting from a car accident can bring substantial changes to your life.  In some cases the injury is immediate, profound and obvious.  In others, the symptoms are quite subtle and may take months to come to light.

At Hargadon, Lenihan & Herrington we have a special interest in Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) or Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (MTBI) resulting from a car accident or other head trauma.  One of our HLH partners is a member of the Brain Injury Foundation, a non-profit organization of doctors, lawyers and other professionals who work together to learn more about TBI or MTBI and how to improve the life of someone who suffers a brain injury.

Brain injuries, by definition, occur when there is a loss of consciousness- however so slight. Memory loss, headaches, irritability, lack of focus, strain in bright lights and fatigue are all signs of a head injury.  Even if there was a short loss of consciousness, or the confusion and disorientation associated with brain injury lasts less than 30 minutes the injury is still classified as a brain injury.

Some head injuries are classified as “mild” brain injuries, or MTBI.  These are the most dangerous kind of head injuries. In these cases, an MRI or CAT Scan may appear normal. Advanced studies are required.  However, those who suffer MTBI, “mild” brain injuries, often endure headaches and the inability to focus for weeks after the accident.  Over time, spouses and family members may sense a change in their personality.  A person who used to be easy going becomes quickly agitated by noise or crowds.  Processing multiple tasks becomes more difficult (or impossible) and even a simple trip to the grocery may seem too confusing to handle.  Watch for unusual signs of anxiety, impulsivity or irritability. In reality, the term “mild” is a misnomer.

If you or your loved one continue to experience persistent headache, nausea, ringing in the ears or blurred vision you should consider returning to your physician for additional testing.

In the most severe cases, a loss of consciousness exceeding 30 minutes and memory loss for more than 24 hours after the accident.  In these cases it is not uncommon for a patient to experience impairment in cognitive brain functions resulting in slurred or broken speech, the failure to recognize people or objects as well as impact on motor control.

When you or someone you love faces the difficulty of a mild brain injury or a life-altering Traumatic Brain Injury or TBI resulting from an auto accident or other trauma, you need immediate expert legal assistance.  We invite you to review the recommendations of the legal industry and our former clients and contact the proven injury attorneys at HLH for a free consultation at (502) 583-9701.  Brain injuries require extensive legal expertise.  Ask about commitment to continuing education and service in this field, as well as our extensive track record of success in these cases.