Head Injury Diagnosis and Treatment Issues on Mercer Island

Posted Friday, March 31, 2023 by Chris Thayer

Car crashes are the leading cause of head injuries in the United States. These wounds kill over 60,000 Americans every year. The violent motion of a car crash, as opposed to a trauma impact, usually causes a TBI. The human brain is not much bigger than a clenched fist. This motion causes it to slam against the insides of the skulls.

These injuries are degenerative. As brain bleeding continues, initial symptoms, like confusion and disorientation, become more advanced symptoms, like constant severe headaches and personality changes. When symptoms get to that point, advanced effects, like dementia and death, aren’t far away.

Because of the serious nature of these injuries, victims are entitled to substantial compensation. A Mercer Island personal injury attorney fights for this compensation in court. This tenacious stance enables most lawyers to resolve these claims out of court and on victim-friendly terms.

*Head Injury Diagnosis*We mentioned initial head injury symptoms above. These symptoms are almost the exact same symptoms as accident shock. Almost all accident victims are disoriented and confused, regardless of their injuries.

Additionally, most doctors look for signature symptoms, like unconsciousness and vomiting, when they diagnose head injuries. If the victim is dazed and confused but awake and nauseated but not vomiting, many doctors dismiss the possibility of a TBI.

Therefore, many doctors don’t order MRIs or other advanced tests, mostly because they are afraid the insurance company will say the test was unnecessary and refuse to pay for it.

Furthermore, head injuries are not unique to high-speed crashes. Low-speed crashes often cause whiplash, a specific type of head injury. The spine is a delicate chain of nerves and vertebrae. This chain has practically no protection. So, a little force could cause spinal misalignment. This misalignment could cause intense pain or, even worse, permanent paralysis.

*Head Injury Treatment*Most injuries heal, given sufficient time and proper treatment. Brain injuries are permanent, no matter what doctors do. Dead brain cells never regenerate. However, doctors can use a combination of surgery and physical therapy to effectively manage TBI symptoms.

As the name implies, brain surgery is a very delicate procedure. Only a handful of Washington State doctors are qualified to perform this procedure. These doctors don’t make house calls, and they are not available 24/7. Instead, the victim must go to a large regional hospital that’s usually in Seattle or another large city, and the surgeon works on his/her own schedule.

Brain injury physical therapy is difficult as well. These therapists must train uninjured areas of the brain to take over lost functions. This process is long, and progress comes in fits and starts.

Most people do not work with brain surgeons and TBI physical therapists on an everyday basis. So, a Mercer Island personal injury lawyer connects victims with these professionals. Usually, these surgeons and therapists charge nothing upfront for their services.

*Count on a Tough-Minded King County Attorney*Injury victims are entitled to substantial compensation. For a free consultation with an experienced personal injury attorney in Mercer Island, contact Pivotal Law Group, PLLC. You have a limited amount of time to act.