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Differentiating Between Types and Grades of TBIs
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) can have a significant impact on your day-to-day life, though the type and grade of your injury can be the difference between a few weeks of lost pay and a permanent inability to earn a living.
Different Types of TBIs
- Open Head Injuries: These occur when an object penetrates the skull, damaging brain tissue.
- Closed Head Injuries: The most common type of TBI, a closed head injury is caused by blunt force trauma without skull penetration, causing the brain to swell.
- Diffuse Axonal Injuries: This type of injury is common after auto accidents, falls or sports mishaps that cause the brain to rapidly shift inside the skull, creating tears in nerve tissues that can result in a moderate to severe TBI.
- Coup-Contrecoup Injuries: A sudden impact or change in momentum or direction can cause the brain to collide with the skull at both the site of impact and the opposite side, inflicting damage at two different points within the brain. Whiplash and auto accidents frequently cause these injuries.
What Is a GCS Score?
Your physician will utilize a variety of diagnostic tests[1] to gauge the full extent of your brain injury, starting with the Glasgow Coma Scale (GSC).
The Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) examines a person's level of consciousness after a brain injury, testing their ability to open their eyes, speak and move their body. A medical professional will combine each category’s sum into your total score, with the lowest score you can get being a three and the highest being a 15. The higher you score, the less severe your injury is likely to be. The GSC scale helps medical professionals formulate a diagnosis, though they won’t be able to glean the full extent of your head injury from your score alone.
Different Grades of TBIs
Mild TBI
Also widely known as a concussion, a mild TBI has a GCS score of 13 to 15 and typically results from head jolts that cause the brain to move inside the skull. Although it can affect the brain cells temporarily, there’s no risk of a mild TBI producing long-term complications.
Most TBIs are mild. On average, 80 percent of patients in the U.S. who go to the ER for a head injury are graded as mild. That said, even more subdued head injuries can still inflict debilitating symptoms, including headaches, confusion, dizziness and memory problems.
Plaintiffs who sustained a concussion due to someone else’s actions aren’t precluded from pursuing a personal injury claim. A minor head injury can still lead to expensive medical bills, lost wages and pain and suffering. If someone else's negligence or intentional actions caused your mild TBI, our experienced attorneys will aggressively pursue fair compensation on your behalf.
Moderate TBI
Moderate TBIs have a GCS score between nine and 12 and are characterized by a loss of consciousness for less than 24 hours and memory loss for less than seven days. They’re typically the product of forceful blows to the head and can lead to more noticeable cognitive and physical impairments than mild TBIs. Recovery from a moderate TBI can be a prolonged process, requiring rehabilitation and medical interventions.
Severe TBI
Severe TBIs have a GCS score lower than eight and are the most devastating and life-altering, usually resulting from car accidents, falls or violent assaults. A TBI is more likely to rank as severe when the injured person is unconscious for longer than 24 hours or experiences memory loss for more than seven days. They can also involve complications with sudden structural abnormalities, including edema, hematoma, contusions or bleeding.
This extreme level of TBI can result in extended periods of unconsciousness and profound cognitive decline, necessitating the need for long-term care and support. The consequences are often permanent and can profoundly affect a person's ability to live independently and engage in daily activities, worsening their quality of life.
What Should You Do If You’ve Sustained a TBI Injury?
The experienced attorneys at the Law Office of Rickard, Drew & Nix will ensure you receive compensation that covers the full extent of damages brought on by your TBI, from medical bills and pain and suffering to lost wages. We’ll assess your damages to calculate proper compensation and gather extensive evidence as we navigate the complicated claims process on your behalf. We’ll work hard to secure the best possible outcome for your case so you can pay for rehabilitation, including ongoing care and medical devices, without worrying about the cost.
Hire a Dedicated Attorney Who Has Helped Clients Win Cases Similar to Yours
At the Law Office of Rickard, Drew & Nix, we’re ready to fiercely support you at no up-front cost, fighting to maximize your possible compensation so you can recover in peace.
Call (404) 588-1001 or fill out our contact form for a free consultation with one of our skilled personal injury attorneys today.
