Traumatic brain injuries, or TBIs, are one of the more common childhood injuries. When a TBI results from a car accident, you need the experience of a pediatric brain injury lawyer by your side to help advocate for you and your child.
At Frank Azar Car & Truck Accident Lawyers, we help Colorado families. We know the long-term repercussions a TBI can have, especially on a child. We want you to have as much information as you can about these injuries so you can make the best decisions for your family.
Categories of Brain Injuries
Traumatic brain injuries are classified as closed or open (penetrating), depending on whether or not a portion of the skull was broken as a result of the event that caused the brain injury.
Brain injuries are also classified by severity. Mild traumatic brain injuries (concussions) may cause a brief loss of consciousness, memory loss, and confusion. Moderate traumatic brain injuries are classified as injuries that cause a loss of consciousness for more than 30 minutes with accompanying amnesia that may last up to 24 hours. Severe traumatic brain injuries cause prolonged loss of consciousness or coma, severe amnesia, and brain damage. Some may prove fatal.
Are Mild Traumatic Brain Injuries and Concussions the Same Thing?
Yes, mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) and concussion are the same thing. It is the most common form of brain injury.
Concussions should heal if patients follow medical protocols and advice, but any level of brain trauma – even “mild” – can have a long-term effect on the brain’s development. This is why we take concussions so seriously.
Are Children More Susceptible to Brain Injuries?
Children are naturally more susceptible to brain injuries for several reasons.
- They don’t have good balance. Children (especially very young children) are still developing their balance and coordination, which may contribute to a higher incidence of slips, falls, and accidents.
- Kids are more active. More activity and more playtime increase the risk of a child getting hurt.
- Their brains are still developing. Brain injuries sustained in childhood can compound over time, leading to “cascarding effects” as the victim ages.
What Are the Signs of Brain Trauma in Children?
It can be difficult to identify the signs of a TBI in a child, especially if they are too young to articulate how they feel. If your child has been in an accident and you suspect they hit their head look for signs and symptoms like:
- Dizziness
- Increased problems with balance
- Light and/or noise sensitivity
- Confusion or forgetfulness
- Excessive fatigue or drowsiness
- Difficulty answering simple questions
- Mood changes
Your child may also complain of a headache or an overall unwell feeling. If your child is a toddler or baby, or if your child has special needs, it can be more difficult to diagnose a TBI. Look for signs such as:
- Eye pain
- Complaints when you move your child’s head from one side to the other
- Changes in sleep patterns
- Vomiting
- Excessive crying
If you notice any of these symptoms, seek medical care immediately to have your child examined. Untreated TBIs could have lasting effects on your child’s brain health.
What Are the Most Serious Risks and Complications of Childhood Brain Trauma?
Pediatric brain trauma often causes neuronal damage that cannot be repaired. The healthy neurons that remain must then rewire and make new connections (neuroplasticity). This can alter how the brain develops for the rest of your child’s life. In some cases, childhood brain trauma can result in:
Lifelong Cognitive Difficulties
Cognitive difficulties may occur depending on the portion of the brain that is injured. Problems with thinking, memorization, and computation are possible. If the frontal lobes and/or hippocampus are damaged, these difficulties may extend throughout your child’s life.
Seizure Disorders
Seizures can be common with a TBI. If your child has a seizure within the first week after sustaining a TBI, it is considered a post-traumatic seizure. Seizures that continue after the first week post-TBI result in a condition known as post-traumatic epilepsy.
CTE, Dementia, and Other Conditions
Children who play full-contact sports or who are involved in high-risk activities like climbing, surfing, or racing may sustain multiple TBIs throughout their childhood. When multiple TBIs occur, a child’s risk of developing conditions like dementia and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (a degenerative brain disease) increases.
Secondary Brain Injuries
A TBI can also lead to secondary brain injuries. These injuries can include oxygen deprivation, edema, inflammation, raised intracranial pressure, infection, and even hemorrhages. It’s essential that your child be seen by a medical professional if you suspect or know they’ve experienced a head trauma, as it may be possible to avoid certain secondary injuries if your child is being monitored carefully.
Shortened Life Span
Children who suffer a moderate to severe TBI have a life expectancy that is approximately nine years shorter than their peers, according to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention. A shorter life expectancy is the result of an increased risk of seizures, infections, mental and behavioral issues, and respiratory complications.
Common Causes of Pediatric Brain Injury
The leading cause of TBI in children is falls, but motor vehicle accidents are a close second. Children are more vulnerable to injuries in a car accident than an adult due to their smaller size and the way their bodies react to impact. Additional causes of pediatric TBIs include:
- Sports. Children ages four and older are at an increased risk of TBI from sports-related activities.
- Near-drowning events. Near-drowning events can lead to oxygen deprivation, which may lead to brain-related injuries.
- Abuse. Child abuse and assault (including shaken baby syndrome) may result in a TBI.
- Blunt force trauma. When an object strikes a child in the head or the head comes in contact with an object, a brain injury may occur.
Using safety restraints and car seats in your vehicle, wearing protective gear (like helmets) during sports, and teaching your children to swim are all ways to reduce your child’s risk of experiencing a TBI.
What Should You Do If You Suspect Your Child Has Sustained a Pediatric Brain Injury?
If you suspect your child has a pediatric brain injury, take them to the nearest emergency medical center immediately. Your child should undergo a full medical evaluation to determine if they have a TBI, and if so, the severity of the TBI. Your child may need emergency care, or may be sent home with instructions for at-home rest and recovery.
What Is the Recovery Process for Child Brain Trauma?
Recovery from a TBI can range from several weeks to several months. The fastest part of recovery typically happens immediately after the injury is sustained, and in the earliest weeks after the injury.
Your child may need a range of different therapies during recovery, including:
- Speech therapy
- Physical therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Behavioral therapy
Recovery is measured on a scale, and your child’s care team will assess them regularly and determine how their recovery is going and predict how well they will be able to recover.
In some severe cases, a full recovery may not be possible.
When Should You Speak to a Lawyer About Your Child’s TBI?
If your child sustained a TBI in a car accident or event beyond their control, you need the help of an experienced attorney to advocate for your child and to help you recover the compensation you need to cover medical bills, therapies, treatments, and ongoing care.
An experienced Denver TBI attorney from Frank Azar Car & Truck Accident Lawyers can review your claim, calculate both economic and non-economic damages, and then file the claim on your behalf. This can be to your benefit if the insurance company tries to negotiate a lower payment, or refuses to pay at all. Not only will we already be familiar with your case and your needs, but we’ll be able to file a lawsuit quickly on your behalf. This is because we prepare every case we take for trial – a fact every insurer in Colorado knows.
You don’t have to go through this alone. Contact us today to discuss your case and let us navigate your insurance claims so you can focus on helping your child recover as quickly as possible. With offices throughout the entire state of Colorado, The Strong Arm® is always nearby when you need it.
