Traumatic Brain Injuries can affect anyone after any accident, but they can be especially difficult to detect and treat in children.
One common cause of a TBI is a sudden impact to the head. This can happen in many ways, such as a fall, car accident, sports injury or a violent assault. Swelling in the brain tissue constricts the blood vessels, causing long-lasting or permanent damage.
As a parent, you are worried about your child’s health and well-being after a TBI.
Different effects on different children
TBIs can have different effects on different children, depending on the severity and location of the injury. Some children may recover quickly and fully, while others may have long-term or permanent impairments.
TBIs can affect a child’s physical, cognitive, emotional and behavioral functioning.
Signs and symptoms
The signs and symptoms of TBIs in children may vary depending on the age, developmental stage and personality of the child. Some symptoms may appear immediately after the injury, while others may take days or weeks to show up. Some symptoms may be subtle or hard to notice, while others may be obvious or alarming.
According to the Mayo Clinic, some of the common signs and symptoms of TBI in children include loss of consciousness, persistent headache, repeated vomiting or nausea, convulsions or seizures and eye dilation.
Other symptoms include clear fluids draining from the nose or ears, weakness or numbness in the arms or legs and loss of coordination or balance. These are in addition to a plethora of other physical and mental symptoms.
If you notice any of these signs and symptoms in your child after a head injury, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible. A doctor can perform a physical examination and diagnostic tests to determine the extent and severity of your child’s brain injury. The doctor can also prescribe appropriate treatment and rehabilitation for your child’s recovery.
What to do
If your child has suffered a TBI due to someone else’s negligence or wrongdoing, you may be entitled to compensation for your child’s medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost quality of life and future needs.
However, pursuing a legal claim for TBI can be complex and challenging. You will need to prove that the other party was at fault for causing your child’s injury, and that your child’s injury resulted in damages.