The term “head injury” includes any type of injury to the scalp, brain, or skull. Medically speaking, there are two main categories of head injury: “penetrating” or “blunt force.”
Penetrating injuries occur when a foreign object cuts through the scalp, skull, or into the brain. On the other hand, blunt force trauma involves a blow to the head, such as when a person slips and falls on a wet cement floor. Blunt force trauma can result in traumatic brain injury (TBI). Not all TBIs are life-threatening, but some are.
What Does Blunt Force Do to the Head?
A sudden direct impact on the skull is classified as a mild, moderate, or severe traumatic brain injury.
Minor TBI is the most common kind of concussion. A sudden movement or jolt to the head can cause the brain to twist or bounce inside the skull. For example, a mild TBI could happen during a minor car accident.
When blunt trauma causes a temporary loss of consciousness, it’s considered a moderate traumatic injury. Severe traumatic injury can cause catastrophic injuries, including permanent disability and death.
The more severe the blow to the head, the more severe the injury may be. Even though no objects have penetrated the brain, the force of impact can cause swelling, bleeding, and damage to brain cells that may not be reversible.
Specific types of brain injuries caused by blunt force include:
- Concussions
- Skull fractures
- Hemorrhages (brain bleeds)
- Subdural hematoma (pooling blood in the brain that causes pressure)
- Contusions
A history of repetitive blunt trauma may result in chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). Athletes and combat veterans have a high risk of developing CTE.
Blunt Force Trauma Symptoms
A person’s exact symptoms of blunt force trauma vary depending on how serious and what type of injury they incurred, and what type of medical treatment they received.
Some of the most common symptoms include:
- Dizziness or vertigo
- Temporary ringing in the ears
- Inability to focus the eyes
- Headache, migraine
- Sensitivity to sound or light
- Loss of coordination
- Loss of balance
- Memory loss
- Confusion or disorientation
- Seizures
- Paralysis
- Impairment of speech or vision
- Clear fluid leaking from the ear or nose
Changes in personality and mood disorders, such as depression, may also occur. Chronic pain may also develop.
How Is Blunt Force Trauma Injury Treated?
Imaging and neurological testing may be needed to diagnose a brain injury. Once diagnosed, the injury can be treated. Treatments range from taking over-the-counter headache medicine to brain surgery. Rehabilitation may include occupational, physical, and speech therapies.
If damage to the brain is extensive, the person may need ongoing medical support. Early interventions can help reverse or prevent damage. If you are involved in a motorcycle accident, fall off a ladder, or hit your head against any type of hard surface, don’t wait until you notice blunt trauma symptoms. See your physician as soon as possible.
Seek emergency care if an individual seems disoriented or loses consciousness after a blunt force injury.
Contact the Austin Personal Injury Lawyers at McMinn Personal Injury Lawyers for Help Today
If you or a loved one has been injured at work or in any other circumstances, protecting your health is the priority. Get immediate care from a doctor if it’s indicated, or see your personal healthcare professional as soon as possible.
You should also consider speaking with a personal injury attorney. The costs of treating blunt force head trauma symptoms can quickly become overwhelming, and you may be entitled to financial compensation, which often requires legal aid with negotiation or litigation to receive.
For more information, contact an experienced Austin personal injury lawyer at McMinn Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation today.
Contact our Personal Injury Lawyers at McMinn Personal Injury Lawyers for Legal Help With Your Case
If you’ve been injured, contact your nearest McMinn Personal Injury Lawyers location to schedule a free consultation today.
We serve in Austin, TX and Salt Lake City, UT.
McMinn Personal Injury Lawyers – Austin, TX Office
502 W 14th St, Austin, TX 78701
(512) 474-0222
McMinn Personal Injury Lawyers – Salt Lake City, UT Office
650 S 500 W Suite 290, Salt Lake City, UT 84104
(385) 462-7630
