Brain Injury Guide
Brain injuries can range from relatively minor "non-concussive" injury to very serious damage which is never recovered from. The more serious injuries are usually picked up by the treating hospital, but less severe injuries are often missed. What follows is not a replacement for proper medical help and this should be sought if you or someone you know appears to have suffered a head injury.
The brain is a sack of living tissue floating in a protective liquid in a protective covering encased in a hard shell. It is connected to the spinal cord at the base of the skull via the brain stem. The cushioning fluid and covering do not provide absolute protection. If the head is shaken violently or sustains an impact the living tissue and the protective coverings can be damaged. This can cause internal bleeding or swelling of the brain. The initial damage is known as Primary Injury. Subsequent complications caused by this are known as Secondary Injury. While brain injury is often associated with injury to the scalp or skull, it can be caused without any visual damage whatsoever.
Only about 7% of diagnosed brain injuries are regarded as severe. Statistically less severe brain injuries are much more likely to be overlooked as at least 93% of brain injuries are not severe.
The Medical Disability Society define minor head injury as an injury causing unconsciousness for 15 minutes or less, a moderate head injury as more than 15 minutes but less than 6 hours with post-traumatic amnesia (loss of continuous day-to-day memory) of less than 24 hours and severe head injury as anything longer than that.
As a firm we are very alert to head injuries, which are often missed by less experienced brain injury solicitors. We act as trustee for a number of brain injured clients as part of the total care that we provide to the families, carers and survivors of brain injury. We can organise and supervise sophisticated trusts and investment regimes that maximise state benefits and tax avoidance, so that the compensation paid works as hard as possible to give the best returns as safely as possible.
We are very careful to respect the confidentiality of the awards our clients achieve. Whilst it might be great publicity for us we would rather awards were kept as quiet as is possible to avoid our clients being targeted by con-artists and "old friends" who want a share of the money.
What to look for
Brain injury can have a physical, intellectual, emotional, behavioural or social impact on an individual. They can be very complex and usually benefit from early diagnosis. The effect of a brain injury will depend on the severity and location. Damage can cause loss of memory and seizures. Less severe injuries can cause headaches, an aversion to bright light and vomiting. While major injury is usually picked up in the early stages and diagnosis is assisted by use of the Glasgow Coma Scale, less severe injury can often be overlooked.
All of the following may be indicators of a brain injury:
- an increased lack of attention or a difficulty in concentrating;
- problems planning and problem-solving;
- increased clumsiness;
- increased alcohol consumption;
- an unexplained increase in tearfulness or laughter;
- dizzy spells and loss of balance;
- headaches;
- increased tension, anxiety or depression;
- increased irritability and aggression;
- apathy, increased tiredness or poor motivation;
- poor self-care;
- dis-inhibition (either physical or verbal);
- loss of social skills.
Seizures are less common and normally arise in up to about 5% of brain injuries. They are usually linked to a depressed fracture of the skull and post-traumatic amnesia greater than 24 hours. The longer time passes without late epilepsy the less chance it will arise. However, minor fits such as a 3 or 4 second lapse in concentration or lose of awareness of where you are are often missed.
If not properly identified brain injury leading can cause loss of employment and an allegation of malingering after an accident, leading to devastation of a claim for damages. While most brain injuries will recover in under 6 months, they can have a devastating effect on those around you as well as effecting you. It can put pressure on friends and family, leading to a breakdown in relationships. Assessment of a brain injury includes taking a detailed history from members of the family, who will often complain about how the person has changed since the accident. Over 50% of relationships will break down after a severe head injury.
How much?
Example guideline awards for brain injury are as follows:
| 1 | Minor brain damage | £10,000 to £28,250 |
| 2 | Moderate brain damage | £28,250 to £144,000 |
| 3 | Moderately severe brain injury | £144,000 to £185,000 |
| 4 | Very severe brain damage | £185,000 to £265,000 |
To find out more about how we can help please contact us on 01296 662770 to discuss the matter further.
- Further Information
- Catastrophic Injury Guide
- Fatal Accident Claims
- Fracture Guide
- Head Injury Guide
- Ligament Damage Guide
- Multiple Injury Guide
- Pain
- Psychiatric Injury Guide
- Soft Tissue Damage Guide
- Whiplash Guide
- Dental Injury Guide
- Glasgow Coma Scale
- Medical Abbreviations
- Medical Qualifications
- Medical Symbols
- Medical Terminology
- Rehabilitation Guide
We are here to help 24 hours a day 365 days a year. Either e-mail us anytime, call (01296) 662770 (Nick) or (01525) 373322 (Richard) during the normal working day or (07973) 424178 in an emergency.
