Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) can change the course of a victim’s life. Depending on the severity of the injury, TBIs may resolve in days to weeks, or they may be lifelong.
TBIs may be mild, moderate, or severe. Below, our Kansas City and Topeka personal injury attorneys discuss the three classifications of TBIs and how to diagnose them.
Mild, Moderate, and Severe Traumatic Brain Injuries
In general, TBIs are considered mild when the victim experiences a loss of consciousness for a few seconds to a few minutes, as well as the following symptoms:
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Headache
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Nausea or vomiting
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Fatigue or drowsiness
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Difficulty sleeping
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Dizziness or loss of balance
TBIs are typically classified as moderate to severe when the victim experiences a loss of consciousness for a few minutes to a few hours, as well as the following symptoms:
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Persistent headaches
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Repeated nausea and vomiting
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Convulsions or seizures
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An inability to awaken from sleep
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Weakness or numbness in fingers and toes
In order to diagnose the classification of TBI, a medical professional will observe the patient’s symptoms and may conduct the following tests:
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Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS). The GCS measures a patient’s functioning in their ability to speak, their ability to open their eyes, and their ability to move. The medical professional will then rate the patient’s responses in these categories and will give them a numerical rating. A score of 13 and higher indicates a mild TBI, 9 through 12 indicates moderate, and 8 or below indicates severe.
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Speech and language tests. A pathologist may complete a formal evaluation of a patient’s social communication skills, their ability to swallow, and their ability to control speech.
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Imaging tests. Medical professionals may use several imaging tests to determine the classification of a TBI, including CT scans, MRI scans, and more.
Suffered a Traumatic Brain Injury? We’re Here to Help
If you or someone you love has received a TBI due to negligence, our Kansas City and Topeka personal injury attorneys are here to help. We have helped countless clients recover just compensation in the wake of a serious accident and we’re ready to do the same for you.
Contact DiPasquale Moore today at (816) 888-7500 to schedule a free consultation with our team.