Every year, 2.5 million people suffer from traumatic brain injury, according to the Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention. Brain injuries may result from many causes, including car accidents, falls, toxic substances, improper medications, and mishandled medical procedures. In many instances brain injuries may be difficult to detect, particularly so-called “mild” injuries. As such, brain injuries are often missed or misdiagnosed by medical professionals. A failure to diagnose a brain injury–even one that is considered mild–can pose a serious risk of harm.

Recognizing Brain Injury

Because the severity and type of brain injury can vary, there exists no sure-fire way for easily detecting a brain injury in all cases. Some of the common symptoms of traumatic brain injury include:

• difficulty concentrating;

• memory loss;

• persistent headache;

• dizziness;

• fatigue;

• change in mood;

• change in cognitive function (such as difficulty reading or speaking);

• blurred vision; and

• nausea.

Another symptom may include loss of consciousness, but note that a loss of consciousness does not occur in all cases, including cases of more severe brain injury.

Recognizing When a Child May Be Suffering From Brain Injury

For children who suffer from a brain injury, symptoms may be more difficult to identify than for adults. Parents and other caregivers should look for the following:

• changes in eating, sleeping, or playing patterns;

• changes in school performance;

• tiredness or listlessness;

• changes in mood, including irritability;

• loss of interest in favorite activities

• loss of newly acquired skills (such as toilet training);

• vomiting; and

• trouble balancing or unsteady walking.

In all cases of brain injury–both in children and in adults–it is important to note that symptoms may appear over time. A delay between the cause of a brain injury and the manifestation of symptoms is not uncommon. For example, a person may appear to be fine immediately after an accident but may feel ill days or even weeks later.

Brain Injury Caused by the Negligence of Another

Although some brain injuries may be the cause of our own actions, many suffer brain injuries due to the negligent actions of others. For example, a common cause of brain injuries includes the negligence of medical professionals. While under the care of medical professionals people may suffer brain injury due to:

• over-medication,

• improper medication,

• failure to diagnose a brain tumor,

• mishandled brain surgery, and

• improper use of anesthesia.

Another type of brain injury at the hands of medical professionals includes birth injury. For example, a doctor’s negligence may cause a child to suffer from a lack of oxygen during childbirth. When oxygen is cut off during delivery the child may suffer from significant injury, such as cerebral palsy. Such an injury may affect the child for life.

Get the Help of an Experienced Attorney

If you or your child has suffered harm from a brain injury caused by the negligence of another, you should contact an Atlanta brain injury attorneyimmediately. An attorney can review the facts of your case and determine whether you have a viable claim. If so, they can help you seek the compensation you deserve.