Posted on Monday, July 11th, 2016 at 5:39 am
YouWhat is a Closed Head Injury?
A closed head injury can be difficult to diagnose because there is often no outward trauma to the head. A closed head injury occurs after a sharp blow to the had such as during a motor vehicle accident, slip and fall, workplace injury, or pedestrian accident. For example, a driver’s head violently collides with the steering wheel when a truck rams into the rear of the vehicle. Another example would be if a person fell on a slippery surface in a store and hit his head on the hard floor when falling.
Recognizing a Closed Head Injury
Because a closed head injury is not always as apparent as an open head or penetrating head injury, it is important that you know the symptoms of a closed head injury. It is common to experience some of these symptoms following a blow to the head; however, if the symptoms persist or increase in severity, you need to seek immediate medical attention.
- Headaches
- Confusion
- Loss of memory
- Unconsciousness
- Dizziness
- Nausea and/or vomiting
- High blood pressure
- Slow pulse
- Slurred speech
- Blurred vision
What Should I Do?
After a personal injury accident, it is always in your best interest to be seen by a doctor for two reasons. First, your health should be your top priority. If you have a closed head injury, ignoring symptom could result in life-threatening complications. A concussion is the most common example of a closed head injury; however, more serious medical conditions can develop as the result of a blow to the head such as:
- Subdural Hematoma – A collection of blood between the brain and the skull that be life-threatening from the increased pressure and bleeding if left untreated.
- Intracerebral Hemorrhage – A condition where blood suddenly bursts into the brain tissue causing damage to the brain. This can cause several severe conditions including paralysis.
- Epidural Hematoma – This occurs when blood builds up between the outer membrane of the central nervous system and the skull. If untreated, an epidural hematoma can cause brain damage and death.
The second reason to see a physician is to document your injuries. You need medical records from immediately after the accident describing your symptoms and injuries when filing a personal injury claim.
Concussions and Accidents
Concussions are the most common type of closed head injury and the type of closed head injury that is often ignored. Concussions vary in severity from mild to critical. A mild concussion often heals with time but you still should have a doctor examine you and follow your progress.
A critical concussion can result in cognitive, physical, and psychological damage. This damage can lead to permanent, life-altering conditions including but not limited to paralysis, sensory problems, depression, chronic pain, and difficulty with coordination. Even a mild concussion can result in brain damage that can leave you with a permanent disability.
If you hit your head even slightly in an accident, see a doctor immediately!
Learn More About Closed Head Injuries and Accidents
The personal injury attorneys of the Tiemann Law Firm have successfully represented many clients in closed head injury claims. Contact our Sacramento personal injury attorneys by calling our office at (916) 999-9000 or chat with a representative on our website to schedule a free case evaluation.
