Blunt Force Head Trauma – Cause and Effect
It’s estimated that around 2.8 million people in the U.S. sustain a traumatic brain injury every year. Head injuries are typically divided into two categories — penetrating injuries and blunt force trauma injuries.
What is blunt force trauma? It refers to any head injury that doesn’t include a foreign object penetrating the skull.
Also known as a “closed” head injury, a blunt traumatic brain injury (TBI) can result in mild to severe brain damage and even death. When a head injury is caused by another person’s neglect, the injured person may be entitled to financial compensation to cover the costs of medical bills, lost wages, and other considerations.
What Causes Blunt Force Trauma To the Head?
Many kinds of accidents can cause a non-penetrating TBI. Something as simple as a slip and fall may result in a hard blow when the person’s head collides with the floor.
Other common causes of blunt force trauma include:
- Auto and motorcycle accidents
- Sports injuries
- Falls from a great height
- Physical assault
- Explosive blasts
- Workplace accidents
Any incident that causes a hard impact to the head can result in a TBI.
Symptoms of Blunt Force Trauma
TBIs are not always obvious. In most cases, a severe blow to the head, such as might happen in an auto accident, requires emergency medical care. However, sometimes, symptoms of a TBI don’t appear immediately. They can take several hours or days to appear.
Some of the most common symptoms include:
- Headaches or pressure in the head
- Nausea or vomiting
- Blurry vision
- Ringing in the ears
- Loss of consciousness
- Personality changes
- Mood swings
- Trouble concentrating
- Memory problems
- Sensitivity to sound and light
Some people are under the impression that minor head injuries don’t require medical care. Any concussion or head trauma should be taken seriously. Follow up with your regular doctor if you’ve experienced blunt force trauma or are displaying any of the symptoms of a TBI.
The Effects of Blunt Force Trauma To the Head
Mild TBIs are commonly treated at home with rest and over-the-counter pain relievers if needed. Regular checkups with a healthcare provider are also necessary for the first few weeks after the incident. Your physician will want to check for worsening or new symptoms.
More severe blunt force injuries often require emergency treatment. A TBI can affect the brain in many ways.
Hematoma
A hematoma, or burst blood vessel in the brain, is a life-threatening injury. Emergency surgery to locate and repair the damaged vessel is needed.
Concussion
A concussion is one of the most common effects of blunt force trauma. Concussions are temporary injuries, but severe concussions that cause immediate symptoms like losing consciousness can cause long-term problems with brain function. Multiple concussions can lead to permanent brain damage and death.
Diffuse Axonal Injury
A diffuse axonal injury (DAI) is one of the most common types of TBIs. It is a widespread injury to the white matter within the brain. This type of severe injury is typical in high-impact accidents like auto accidents. A DAI disrupts the communication among nerve cells and may also prompt the release of chemicals that can damage the brain even further.
Blunt Force Head Trauma Can Change a Person’s Life Forever
Blunt force trauma is a hard, non-penetrating impact that can result in a traumatic brain injury. The effects can be mild and temporary or severe and permanent, depending on the type and area of the injury. The financial impact of head trauma can also be severe. Some people may become disabled and require lifelong medical care.
Contact our Denver Brain Injury Attorneys at Zaner Law Personal Injury Lawyers in Denver. Call us at (720) 613 9706
For more information, please contact the Denver brain injury lawyers at Zaner Law Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free initial consultation with a Denver personal injury lawyer.
We are located in Denver, CO, proudly serving all of Denver County.
Zaner Law Personal Injury Lawyers
1610 Wynkoop Street, Suite 120.
Denver, CO 80202
(720) 613 9706
About The Author
Kurt Zaner has earned national recognition for his innovative legal strategies, securing some of the largest verdicts in Colorado. He assists injured clients in Denver with personal injury cases, including car accidents, truck accidents, wrongful death, motorcycle accidents, and more. Click here to view some of the fantastic case results that Zaner Law has successfully handled.
Location: Denver, CO
