In the city of Atlanta, a traumatic brain injury may be classified as a closed head injury. This type of injury is diagnosed when there is no damage to the skull and the dura mater remains unharmed. Closed head injuries account for more than half of all brain injuries that occur in the country every year.
Closed head injuries are typically caused by vehicle collisions, falls and sports injuries. Men are more likely to experience a closed head injury than women, and children have the highest rate of death due to these injuries. Concussion, intracranial hematoma, cerebral contusion, and diffuse axonal injury are the most common types of closed head injuries sustained.
Symptoms of a closed head injury can include headaches ranging from mild to severe, dizziness, slurred speech, nausea and vomiting. Symptoms may appear immediately, or not occur for weeks following the initial trauma. Brain swelling tends to occur slowly, explaining why a victim may not experience symptoms quickly.
Any person who suspects they may have sustained a brain injury should seek medical attention. Left untreated, swelling to the brain can cause seizures, coma, unconsciousness and, at worst, death. When brain trauma is treated quickly, the impacts can be lessened.
If you or a loved one has experienced a closed head injury or any other type of traumatic brain injury, you may be entitled to compensation. An attorney experienced in personal injury law can be of assistance in determining a victim’s legal rights.