Levels of TBIs
There are typically three levels of TBIs, though you can look at them as if they are on a sliding scale, from minor to the most severe. Physicians utilize a number of tests to determine if you have suffered a TBI, and if so, its severity. One of these tests is the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS).
The GCS has three categories: best visual response, best verbal response, and best motor response. Visual responses can be scored between one and four, verbal responses can be scored between one and five, and motor responses can be scored between one and six. For each category, a score of one means there is no response. The lower your score, the more severe your injury.
- Severe TBI: If you score eight or less on the GCS, you have a severe TBI. This is usually accompanied by a loss of consciousness greater than 24 hours.
- Moderate TBI: A moderate TBI involves a GCS score between nine and 12 and loss of consciousness between 30 minutes and 24 hours.
- Mild/Minor TBI: A concussion has a GCS of 13 to 15 points and loss of consciousness less than 30 minutes, or none at all.
If you suffered a moderate-to-severe TBI, you are likely experiencing significant side effects. You may anticipate one or more permanent changes. You could face cognitive or physical deficits. You may also experience personality changes.
Minor TBIs can result in long-term and challenging side effects as well. It is a common belief that you can recover from concussions quickly and with few consequences. Unfortunately, concussions can do more harm than people realize. It is particularly dangerous to suffer two concussions close together or to suffer multiple concussions over time. After suffering a concussion due to another person’s carelessness, do not assume this is a minor injury undeserving of compensation. You should work with our Seattle traumatic head injury attorneys to obtain an appropriate financial recovery.
Symptoms of Minor TBI (Concussion)
If you or a loved one have suffered a concussion in an accident, you may experience:
- Headaches
- Sensory sensitivity
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Confusion
- Irritability
- Mood swings
- Depression
- Problems with speech
- Trouble sleeping
The impact of a concussion varies significantly from person to person. You may not experience a concussion the way you suspect, which is why it is important to speak with a physician after you are in an accident. Only a trained doctor can determine whether you suffered a mild TBI. Your physician can also prescribe the best means of recovering fully from a concussion.
Symptoms of Moderate TBI
If you suffered a moderate TBI, you might experience all of the side effects of a concussion to a greater degree and for a longer period of time. You also are more likely to experience:
- Repeated nausea and vomiting
- Seizures or convulsions
- Dilated pupils
- Clear fluid draining from your ears or mouth
- Loss of coordination
- Weakness or numbness in your extremities
- Inability to wake from sleep
- Significant confusion
- Slurred speech
- Agitation, aggression, and unusual behavior
For mild and moderate TBIs, it is important to work with a skilled Seattle traumatic brain injury attorney during your insurance claim or lawsuit. The impact of a concussion or moderate TBI can radiate through all parts of your life, including at home, work, in your social life, and in your romantic relationships. An experienced attorney will take into account every way in which this brain injury has negatively affected your life in addition to your financial losses.
Symptoms of Severe TBI
Following a serious TBI, you can experience all of the symptoms mild and moderate TBI sufferings have. These symptoms can be worse, though, and persist for a longer duration. The cognitive, emotional, and physical impact of a severe TBI can be much more significant too. In addition to the previous symptoms, you also may experience:
- Trouble swallowing and speaking
- Challenges forming sentences
- Trouble communicating
- Challenges with logic and reasoning
- Memory impairments and forgetfulness
- Poor concentration and limited attention span
- Changes in your sleep patterns
- Motor impairment
- Loss of bladder and bowel control
- Changes in sexual function
- Acting inappropriately
If you or a loved one have suffered a severe TBI, contact a Seattle traumatic brain injury lawyer immediately. You or your relative may experience permanent cognitive and/or physical deficits. You may be unable to return to work, or you must prepare for a different kind of employment. It is also common for severe TBIs to lead to personality changes. You or your loved one may never be the same as they were before this injury. An experienced attorney will take all of these factors into consideration when determining the value of your claim and negotiating for the maximum amount of compensation possible.
