How a Minor Bump on the Head Can Turn into a Serious and Potentially Fatal Brain Injury

 Posted on December 00,0000 in Brain Injuries

While most people are at least mildly familiar with concussions and how they are caused, very few have even heard of a subdural hematoma. Yet researchers estimate that hundreds of thousands of people in the United States suffer from this potentially serious brain injury each year. More than half of these brain injuries are caused by automobile, bicycle, motorcycle, and pedestrian accidents. Even more concerning is that victims, nor their doctors, may end up catching it before the condition becomes life-threatening.

Subdural Hematoma Causes

Very different from both traumatic brain injuries and concussions, subdural hematomas are insidious conditions that, over time, can become severe or even fatal. They are most common in elderly individuals because, as the brain ages, it begins to shrink and pull away from the dura, leaving the veins attached the dura more exposed and vulnerable. So much so, in fact, that even just a minor bump to the head or sudden jarring can cause injury.

Little by little, the injury causes blood to pool into the brain. Sometimes, the bleed will stop and the brain will reabsorb the excess blood. But in other cases, the pool of blood can cause pressure on the brain, damaging it much like a slow-growing tumor. If the latter proves to be true, the condition can and sometimes does become fatal.

Subdural Hematoma Diagnosis and Symptoms

Often, a subdural hematoma is caused by an injury that is so subtle,  the victim may not even recall it happening; this can make diagnosis of the condition extremely difficult. To make matters worse, the symptoms of prolonged or worsening headache, forgetfulness, slower reaction and thought processing times, weakness of the arms or legs, and balance troubles can easily be mistaken for dementia or other, less serious conditions. Any combination of these symptoms, or the presence of a headache that does not go away, should be discussed with a healthcare professional.

Subdural Hematoma Injury Lawsuit

If you or someone you love has been involved in an auto accident that has resulted in a subdural hematoma, you have the right to pursue compensation. Unfortunately, when you pair the often delayed diagnosis with the complexities of pursuing such claims, it can be difficult for victims to obtain a successful verdict. For this reason, it is recommended that all accident victims seek assistance from a qualified personal injury attorney.

The skilled attorneys of Salvi & Maher, LLP work hard to ensure the rights of Illinois accident victims are acknowledged and protected. With more than 20 years of experience, they offer aggressive, dependable, and informed representation for vehicle accident victims. To learn more, call 847-662-3303 and schedule your free initial consultation with a Lake County personal injury attorney today.

Sources:

http://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2016/01/06/462138708/how-a-simple-bump-can-cause-an-insidious-brain-injury

http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/tbi/detail_tbi.htm