St. Louis Closed Head Injury Attorneys

Traumatic Brain Injuries

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) reports that over 1.4 million Americans experience a traumatic brain injury every year. These traumatic brain injuries (also known as closed head injuries) can have devastating consequences for both victims and their families if left untreated. Unfortunately, without immediate diagnosis and proper medical treatment, closed head injuries can lead to a lifetime of disabilities and even death.

Causes of a Closed Head Injury

Any sudden force or impact to the body can result in a closed head injury. Some of the most common causes are:

• Falls
• Automobile accidents
• Motorcycle accidents
• Physical assault
• Sports and recreation accidents

Symptoms of a Closed Head Injury

At first, a closed head injury may not be apparent after an accident. Victims are often treated for cuts and bruises and then sent home to deal with insurance companies. Over the next several hours and days, the symptoms of a closed head injury may worsen, as the swelling and inflammation increase. Accident victims or family members may begin to notice a number of alarming symptoms, including (but not limited to):

• Changes in speech patterns, vision or hearing
• Changes in gait or coordination
• Headaches
• Numbness in extremities
• Drowsiness or confusion
• Seizures, convulsions or coma
• Paralysis
• Vomiting
• Sleeping pattern changes or personality changes.

If you or someone you love was injured in an accident, it is important to seek medical attention immediately to rule out a possible closed head injury. Failure to seek medical attention quickly can result in permanent and lifelong disabilities. Even if you fully recover from your initial injuries, closed head injury victims may be at greater risk for developing epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease and other brain disorders throughout the course of their lifetime.

It is also important to contact an experienced St. Louis head injury attorney if your injuries are the result of another person’s negligence. Your St. Louis personal injury attorney will work directly with neurologists, medical experts and insurance companies to obtain the right testing needed to prove the diagnosis of a closed head injury. Proper diagnosis is crucial to reaching an injury settlement and obtaining appropriate compensation for medical expenses, loss wages, future rehabilitation and therapies and loss quality of life.