DALLAS, Texas. Traumatic brain injury can be difficult to treat. Some of the symptoms may not appear immediately after an accident. There have even been cases where individuals were suffering from deadly brain hemorrhage and doctors did not catch the symptoms until it was too late. Bleeding in the brain can increase pressure inside the skull, leading to loss of consciousness, brain damage, and even death. Mild traumatic brain injury may not be life-threatening, but left undiagnosed, it can impact a person’s ability to think, sleep, process information, and can even result in changes in mood.
What tests should doctors perform to diagnose traumatic brain injury? According to the Mayo Clinic, there are several diagnostic tools doctors can use to diagnose brain injury. One of the tools is the Glasgow Coma Scale where doctors test a patient’s responsiveness to commands and tasks. There are also imaging tests that doctors can use, such as CT scans, and Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Doctors who are concerned that a patient may have bleeding in the brain may use an intracranial pressure monitor to monitor brain swelling. However, unless doctors understand the kind of accident a patient suffered, they may not be able to order proper diagnostic tests. Sometimes doctors miss the signs of mild traumatic brain injury.
Treatment for traumatic brain injury depends on the severity of the injury. Sometimes rest is enough, but more serious injuries might require the treatment of a physical therapist, occupational therapist, speech and language therapist, vocational counselors, and rehabilitation nurses.
One of the biggest challenges doctors might face in treating traumatic brain injuries is when patients are only unconscious for a little while or were not aware of how long they were unconscious. While the New York Times reports that doctors often perform more tests than they should. If a patient arrives at the hospital, unaware that they have a brain injury, doctors may not know that they should be testing the patient or monitoring them for symptoms.
Traumatic brain injury can impact all aspects of a patient’s life. It can impact your ability to work, enjoy former life activities, and can even change a person’s personality or mood. Victims may need weeks to months to recover or resume life activities. While insurance might cover some care, it might not cover all aspects of a patient’s care.
If you or a loved one was hurt in a truck or car accident and suffered a traumatic brain injury, you may have certain rights under the law. You may be entitled to seek damages for your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering damages. Visit the Law Offices of Robert Gregg in Dallas, Texas to learn more about your options and rights. Our compassionate and caring personal injury lawyers will take the time to review your case, estimate the value of your claim, and help you seek the damages you may be entitled to receive.