March is Brain Injury Awareness Month | DC Metro Area Personal Injury Law Blog

This month is Brain Injury Awareness Month — a time designated for building public awareness and promoting education regarding brain injuries and their prevention. Reach out to a DC traumatic brain injury lawyer.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), each year in the U.S., 1.4 million people sustain a traumatic brain injury (TBI) or concussion — disruptions of the brain caused by a blow or jolt to the head. Of those who suffer a brain injury each year, approximately 50,000 die and 235,000 are hospitalized.

Unfortunately, many people with brain injuries go without needed medical treatment, because their injuries go undiagnosed. This month, take time to educate yourself regarding the signs and symptoms of a serious brain injury, and be prepared to seek medical attention for yourself or another when you suspect an injury. Following are common signs that someone has experienced a TBI, courtesy of the Mayo Clinic:

Signs and symptoms of a mild brain injury can include:

• Brief period of unconsciousness
• Headache
• Confusion
• Dizziness
• Sensory problems, such as blurred vision, ringing in the ears or a bad taste in the mouth
• Mood changes
• Memory or concentration problems

If the injury is moderate to severe, the list of signs and symptoms grows to include:

• Persistent headache
• Repeated vomiting or nausea
• Convulsions or seizures
• Inability to awaken from sleep
• Dilation of one or both pupils of the eyes
• Slurred speech
• Weakness or numbness in the extremities
• Loss of coordination
• Increased confusion or agitation

Reach out to a DC Metro Area Personal Injury Lawyer.