Head Injuries

Most of us know that minor head injury and knocks to the head are common, particularly in children. Following a head injury, if the person is conscious (awake), and there is no deep cut or severe head damage, it is unusual for there to be any damage to the brain.

Sometimes a head injury can cause damage to the brain or to a blood vessel next to the brain. A damaged blood vessel may bleed into the brain, or more commonly, into the area between the brain and the skull. Symptoms of damage or bleeding may not develop for several hours, or even days, after a knock to the head. In rare cases, symptoms from a slow bleed can develop even weeks after a head injury.

If the following symptoms occur after a head injury you should see a doctor as soon as possible:

• Drowsiness when you would normally be wide awake;
• Worsening headache - which does not go away with a mild analgesic or ibuprofen;
• Confusion, strange behavior, any problems understanding or speaking;
• Vomiting;
• Loss of use of part of the body - for example, weakness in a leg or arm;
• Dizziness, loss of balance and/or walking strangely;
• Convulsions or collapse followed by feeling strange afterwards;
• Visual problems, such as blurring of vision or double vision;
• Blood or clear fluid leaking from the nose or ear;
• New deafness in one or both ears; and
• Unusual breathing patterns.

Other symptoms that may occur

Some people develop some mild symptoms after a head injury that are not serious and usually go away within two weeks. These can include a mild headache, feeling slightly sick (without vomiting), being irritable and grumpy, tiredness, poor appetite and some difficulty concentrating. These may develop just as a reaction to a knock on the head and not due to bleeding or serious injury. If you have any doubt about a symptom following a head injury then it is best to have it checked by a doctor as soon as possible. If you have not completely recovered after two week you should see a doctor.

Some tips and general advice

• If at all possible, do not stay at home alone for the first 48 hours after being assessed for a head injury;
• Stay within easy reach of a telephone and medical help for the following few days;
• Do not take any alcohol or drugs for the following few days;
• Do not take sleeping tablets or sedatives unless prescribed by a doctor;
• Discuss with your doctor about playing contact sports such as football and it is often advised that you should not play contact sports for three weeks following a head injury; and
• You should not drive a motor vehicle, ride a motorbike or bicycle, or operate machinery until you feel completely recovered.

At Hopkins, Barvié & Hopkins, P.L.L.C. we handle head injury claims involving workers’ compensation and Social Security Disability. We handle serious injury claims arising from car accidents, truck accidents, construction accidents and more. To best meet the needs of our diverse client base, we speak Spanish. Los Abogados Hablan Espanol.

Call Hopkins, Barvié & Hopkins, P.L.L.C. today for your free case evaluation with a top personal injury attorney in your area.  Contact us online or call 228-864-2200 or, email us, like us on Facebook or follow us on LinkedIn. Just click below.