Accidents happen every day, everywhere. A business might have a slippery floor and or another driver might be texting a friend instead of watching the road, which leads to a life-changing situation for the victim.
It’s hard to miss a broken bone or serious wound. Brain injuries, on the other hand, are extremely common but aren’t visible. They can have serious long-term effects and experts continue to learn more and more about just how dangerous they are. One of the biggest challenges with a brain injury is that it often doesn’t show right away. Meanwhile, immediate treatment is essential for recovery.
Serious consequences from unseen injuries
Concussions, the most well-known form of brain injury, have many symptoms like nausea, fatigue, headaches, disorientation, and concentration problems. Isolated, these symptoms often don’t seem serious enough to warrant extra attention, but the truth is that an early diagnosis and treatment can limit an injury’s severity and help a victim’s long-term prognosis. There were 2.8 million emergency room visits for traumatic brain injuries and nearly 50,000 deaths in 2013, the most recent year with full statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
One serious risk after a brain injury is that a second incident can make the situation much worse. Known as a second-impact syndrome, if somebody suffers a second concussion before they’ve made a full recovery, their brain will swell at a much higher rate. It often leads to death and significant permanent brain damage. The FDA just approved a new blood test that helps to diagnose brain injury, hopefully reducing long-term damages.
Early diagnosis is an important first step
There are many dangers in an accident, but it’s important to visit a doctor as soon as possible after any incident. Internal injuries are often the riskiest because they are more difficult to diagnose and treat before they grow out of control.
The new blood test provides an option to help doctors determine if a brain injury has occurred. Once diagnosed, a patient can pursue treatment and recovery. Anyone who has suffered a serious injury needs adequate and timely treatment. An injury can be life-changing, affecting a person’s health, financial status, independence, and personal relationships. If another party is responsible for an injury, it’s important to protect your rights by consulting with an attorney about your situation.
