Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) can happen in a variety of ways. Any accident that leads to a violent impact to the head can result in temporary or permanent damage. Common types of accidents that lead to TBIs are car accidents, slip and falls, and workplace accidents. Moderate to severe TBIs can lead to lifelong disabilities that require long-term medical care and assistance. If you have suffered from a disability after a TBI, consider talking to a Philadelphia disability lawyer about seeking disability benefits.  

Signs of Traumatic Brain Injuries 

Recognizing the signs of TBI can help you figure out the cause of your disabilities. It is important to know when the signs indicate that you should seek medical help. You should visit a doctor for mild TBIs and should visit the emergency room for moderate to severe TBIs. Moderate to severe TBIs can involve damage to the brain and skull that can cause further damage if left untreated. Waiting too long for a doctor’s appointment may lead to worse symptoms and irreversible effects.  

Mild TBIs tend to induce very brief losses of consciousness with headaches and fatigue. Many people will also feel nauseous and may vomit. Others tend to experience confusion, disorientation, dizziness, and problems with the way they talk or pronounce words. One long-term effect involves problems with falling asleep, staying asleep, or sleeping more than usual. If your vision becomes blurry and your memory seems different, you may have mild TBI. 

Moderate to severe TBIs are classed together, but both of them warrant a visit to the emergency room or a doctor within the same day of the accident. Losses of consciousness at this severity level tend to last several minutes, hours, or until medical attention is given. Worsening headaches, vomiting, seizures, and pupil dilation of either eye are red flags. Clear fluids dripping from the nose or ears can mean serious damage.  

A person with moderate to severe TBI will tend to stumble when they walk, have slurred speech, say things that do not make sense and may not know where they are or what day it is.  

Common TBI Disabilities 

The more severe the TBI, the higher the chances of long-term effects. Some severe TBIs can heal with long-term treatments, but others may last longer. Common disabling effects of TBIs include problems with communication, movement, sensation, behavior, and vision.  

Global aphasia is one example of a communication problem that can result from a TBI. People with this type of damage are unable to communicate and use language properly with others. Others may encounter vision deficits that prevent them from recognizing everyday objects. Hand-eye coordination deficits can make physical tasks close to impossible. Walking can also be affected.  

Some will have complete personality changes with increased impulsivity and agitation that can make holding a job difficult if their behaviors are out of control.  

Philadelphia Disability Lawyer

Consider working with a Philadelphia individual disability lawyer if you are currently struggling to hold a job after suffering a TBI that led to disabilities. Disability benefits can help you recover from lost wages and lost future income. Call Edelstein & Nelson at 1-800-300-0909 today for a consultation.