Mild, Moderate, Severe Brain Injuries: What to Know

How Our Head Injury Attorneys Can Help You Maximize Your Claim

Recovering after a car crash, construction site accident or related incidents can feel frustrating. Assessments and medical examinations don’t always pick up injuries, like a concussion, immediately. Severe brain injuries can cause victims to experience a range of symptoms. Victims can expect to spend ample time in recovery. This article addresses the distinct differences between mild, moderate, or severe brain injuries.

How Do I Know If I Have a Mild, Moderate, Or Severe Brain Injury?

Mild Brain Injury Symptoms

  • Dizziness and nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Loss of memory
  • Loss of consciousness
  • Periods of inactivity

Moderate Brain Injury Symptoms

  • Signs of internal bleeding
  • Injuries show up on neuroimaging
  • Brain trauma
  • Unconsciousness

Severe Brain Injury Symptoms

  • Unconsciousness over 24 hours
  • Injuries show up on neuroimaging
  • There is no sleep or wake cycle

Unlike mild head injuries, severe brain damage can do more harm than good. Individuals typically enter an unconscious state where there are no sleep and wake cycles. Medically, this is referred to as a coma. A personal injury lawyer would be able to help you recover ample compensation. When such severe head damage is left untreated, it can lead to further complications or death.

How Bad Is My Brain Injury?

At Gutierrez Law, our head injury lawyer encourages all victims to go to the hospital for treatment immediately after an accident. Even if you feel fine now, it might change hours or days after injury. There are various types of consciousness a doctor can diagnose you under, such as:

  • Vegetative State – the victim has normal bodily functions, can open their eyes, and occasionally responds to stimulations. They are consciously unaware of what is going on. If someone is diagnosed with a “persistent vegetative state” after a year of suffering from a brain injury, they have a much more difficult recovery process.
  • Minimally Conscious – the victim has some awareness of their surroundings. They might engage in minimal conversations, verbalize their answers (often incorrectly), and express emotional responses. Doctors consider consistent communication and verbally saying “yes” or “no” as progress.
  • Locked-in Syndrome – the victim can only move their eyes and engage in conscious thought. The rest of the body is paralyzed.
  • Brain death – you might hear the term: Uniform Determination of Death Act (UDDA). Doctors refer to UDDA when declaring brain death. Technically, the victim is no longer alive because the brain is unable to function or control the body.

If you or a loved one needs legal help after an accident that resulted in a TBI, it’s best to reach out to a personal injury attorney for advice. We want to ensure that your injuries are reported appropriately, and the negligent party is held accountable.

About The Law Offices of Oscar H Gutierrez

Our law firm specializes in helping those who were injured due to an accident or someone else’s negligence. Navigating the insurance agencies and legal framework for compensation can be difficult, especially if English is not your first language. That’s why you should call the bilingual lawyers of The Law Offices of Oscar H Gutierrez to make sure you are compensated for your pain and suffering.

When you meet with one of our English-speaking and Spanish-speaking personal injury attorneys, you can tell them how your accident occurred and who might be responsible. Your attorneys will then launch an investigation into your accident and the events surrounding it to find who is responsible. If someone was negligent and their lack of care led to your injury, then they will build a case to make sure they pay your medical bills. You should contact our law firm if you were injured in a:

  • Car accident
  • Motorcycle accident
  • Bike accident
  • Rideshare accident
  • Pool accident
  • Dog attack
  • Workplace accident

We can also help you with product liability and premises liability suits. Don’t leave your medical bills and property damage to chance; instead, hire a law firm that can win you the maximum settlement. Contact our office for a free consultation at 323-999-3500 or email us at contact@gutierrez.legal.