Brain injuries should be taken seriously no matter who the injured person is, child or adult, young or old. However, children often have the most difficult time bouncing back from these severe injuries. If you believe your child has suffered a traumatic brain injury, it is imperative that you seek medical attention to protect their health and wellbeing. Your child might seem fine, but a major health concern might be developing without your knowledge.
Below is a list of some facts you should know about brain injuries and the impact they can have on your child:
- Not all brain injuries are concussions: Parents tend to overlook minor head injuries, especially those sustained while their children are engaged in extracurricular sporting activities. This is a major mistake that no parent should make. Not every brain injury is a concussion and, in some cases, it could even be much worse than you think. In fact, brain injuries are classified in three different categories – mild, moderate, and severe. Some of the most common brain injuries children suffer include concussions, contusions, and skull fractures, the latter of which is the most severe and sometimes requires surgery to treat.
- Certain age groups are more vulnerable: Children of all ages are at risk for sustaining brain injuries, but according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), two age groups are particularly vulnerable. Children between the ages of 0 and 4 and teens between the ages of 15 and 19 are at higher risk than any other age groups for suffering a brain injury. Teens in that age range are most at risk for brain injuries caused by sporting accidents or motor vehicle accidents, whereas the younger age group is just learning to walk, climb, and run, making it likely to suffer a brain injury due to a fall.
- Symptoms are not always apparent: The symptoms of a brain injury are not always obvious and, in many cases, it can take days or even weeks before presenting any noticeable symptoms. For children between the ages of 0 and 4, this can be even more difficult since they are not as easily able to communicate their feelings of discomfort or pain. Parents tend to think that in order for there to be a cause for concern, their child must lose consciousness. However, the truth is that every child reacts differently to a brain injury and not every child will experience a loss of consciousness. Your child can experience a vast range of other symptoms, including headaches, dizziness, vomiting, slower reaction times, confusion, depression, anxiety, mood swings, and restlessness.
- Make sure all brain injuries are diagnosed: Any time your child suffers a brain injury, no matter how minor it might seem or what caused it, it is critical that you take him or her in for a complete medical evaluation and diagnostic testing. Some of the tests that will likely be performed include an X-ray, CT scan, or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan.
- Treatment and recovery for brain injuries: Treating a brain injury in a child will depend on a few factors, such as the age of your child, his or her medical history, the type of brain injury, the extent of the damage, and the child’s tolerance for specific medications and procedures. Treatment can potentially include surgery, rest and observation, or even just ice and painkillers in more mild cases. Depending on how severe your child’s brain injury is, the process of recovery can range anywhere from a few days to a few years. As a parent, it is important that you are always there for your child during this difficult time.
PERSONAL INJURY ATTORNEYS IN OKLAHOMA AND TEXAS
If your child recently suffered a brain injury as a result of someone else’s negligence, you have a right to pursue fair and just compensation. At Richardson Richardson Boudreaux, PLLC, our personal injury attorneys are dedicated to helping victims of accidents, negligence, and wrongdoing and will do what is necessary to help you recover the damages, so you can move forward.
Get started on your case today and contact our law office at 918-492-7674 to request your free initial case evaluation. You will not owe us any legal fees unless we are able to win your case.