Parents used to think nothing of their child having their “bell rung” or getting knocked out. It could be playing football with other kids, falling off a bike or a random accident. They thought they were proactive if they were aware that the child was prone to concussions or knew of a new injury. However, head injuries are no longer something that is monitored and taken in stride.
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) can change a family overnight or decades later, when the brain degeneration makes even simple actions or thoughts increasingly difficult.
Quick action starts the treatment process
As with so many medical illnesses, better recoveries come when the illness is quickly and accurately diagnosed. This means calling 911 whenever someone loses consciousness, asking for dispatch to send an ambulance. There are several reasons for this:
- The brain is very sensitive, and it is always serious if it is jostled or suffers trauma
- Responders can evaluate the injured before moving them.
- After an initial evaluation, responders can transport the injured to the best option for care, perhaps going to a hospital specializing in neurological care rather than the closest one.
- The continuum of care starts earlier with the EMT, which leads to a more accurate diagnosis.
Each case is different
The impact of these injuries varies by a person’s sensitivity, the location on the brain of the trauma, or its cause. Regardless of the circumstances, quick action can pay off with better long-term results. The opposite is also true, unfortunately. It may be necessary for a family to take legal action if it is clear that a school, sports organization or an adult in charge ignored the injury or made matters worse with poor decisions. Families in this situation often consult a knowledgeable personal injury attorney who handles TBI and head trauma to determine if legal action is necessary.
