Our David W. Martin Accident and Injury Lawyers in South Carolina know that according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), there were more than 214,000 traumatic brain injury-related hospitalizations nationwide last year.
The CDC describes a traumatic brain injury, or TBI, as an injury that affects how the brain works. It may be caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head, or penetrating injury to the head.
There are three main types of TBI:
- Mild TBI or concussion.
- Moderate TBI.
- Severe TBI.
Last year, there were over 69,000 TBI-related deaths in the United States. That is about 190 TBI-related deaths every day. Here, we explain the differences, symptoms, and the need to get help immediately.
The Differences in the Three Main Types of Traumatic Brain Injuries
Our South Carolina traumatic brain injury attorneys know that these mild, moderate, or severe catastrophic injuries change our clients’ lives when a damaging incident occurs.
These categories are typically determined using various clinical and imaging assessments, such as the Glasgow Coma Scale, and CT and MRI scans, and include:
- Mild Brain Injury
Also known as concussion is a mild brain injury characterized by a brief loss of consciousness or confusion, typically lasting for less than 15 minutes.
Symptoms may include headache, dizziness, memory problems, and difficulty concentrating.
In many cases, a person with a mild brain injury can recover with rest and supportive care.
- Moderate Brain Injury
A moderate brain injury is characterized by a loss of consciousness lasting between 15 minutes to a few hours.
Symptoms can include more pronounced confusion, memory deficits, and other cognitive impairments.
Recovery from a moderate brain injury can be more complex and may require rehabilitation to address cognitive and physical deficits.
- Severe Brain Injury
A severe brain injury involves a loss of consciousness for an extended period, typically more than a few hours.
Symptoms may include profound cognitive and physical impairments; in some cases, the person may remain in a coma for an extended period.
Severe brain injuries can result in long-term or permanent disability and may require intensive and long-term rehabilitation and care.
It is important to note that the impact of a brain injury can vary widely depending on the individual, the location and extent of the brain damage, and the quality of medical care received.
Recovery from brain injuries can also be influenced by factors such as age, overall health, and other medical conditions. Therefore, each case is unique, and the classification of an injury as mild, moderate, or severe is a general guideline to describe the initial severity of the damage.
Rehabilitation and treatment plans are tailored to the specific needs of the individual and can evolve as the person recovers and their condition improves or stabilizes.
Contact Our David W. Martin Accident & Injury Lawyers Today
If your brain injury was the result of a vehicle collision, slip and fall incident, or workplace accident in South Carolina, contact our David W. Martin Accident & Injury Lawyers today by calling 803-258-6199 to learn more about your legal rights and options to hold the negligent party — or combination of parties — liable for your complete recovery needs.
We provide free consultations for all personal injury cases in South Carolina and never charge any legal fees unless we deliver a positive outcome for your unique case.