Traumatic brain injury, or TBI, is a medical condition that can cause serious emotional, physical, cognitive and social impairment and may lead to long-term disability. A TBI occurs when the head suffers a blow or impact, injuring the brain. People, typically, suffer a TBI after experiencing a car collision, slip-and-fall accident or other personal injuries.
TBIs are categorized as either mild or serious. The category of an injury depends on several factors, such as if the brain injury was closed or penetrated. The following explains what a closed and penetrated brain injury is and what kind of symptoms people experience:
Closed TBI
If someone suffers from a head wound and their skull is still intact but suffering from a brain injury, then they are experiencing a closed TBI. In a closed TBI, the brain may suffer from bruising or bleeding. This can result from whiplash or a concussion and may cause dizziness, headaches, nausea or confusion.
Penetrated TBI
Unlike a closed TBI, a penetrated TBI means the skull was fractured and the brain was damaged. An injury such as a penetrated TBI could occur after a catastrophic car accident or fall, but also from bullets, debris or shrapnel. Someone suffering from a penetrated TBI will likely have to undergo serious surgical procedures.
A penetrated TBI may leave someone severely impaired. They may lose memories and recognition skills. They may even suffer from speech, sense and motor control impairment. These kinds of medical conditions frequently lead to long-term disabilities and death.
If you were in an accident and suffering from serious medical conditions, then you should understand your legal rights when seeking compensation for your injuries and losses.