Those people who are injured as a result of a direct blow to the head or a car accident are often checked for traumatic brain injury (TBI). In many cases, TBI can be diagnosed shortly after the injury and because doctors are looking for the injury, they are more likely to find it. However, mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI) is often overlooked. Often caused by less obvious head injuries, MTBI is a personal injury that causes devastation in many lives.
One reason why MTBI is often overlooked is because the symptoms are so mild. Victims of this type of injury may experience short-term memory loss, brief loss of consciousness, focal neurological deficits, and an altered mental state at the time of the injury. A brief time after the accident or injury, the patient may seem to be physically fine and this leads many patients and physicians to assume that all is well.
MTBI, however, is a serious medical problem. Sufferers may experience changes in cognitive abilities, personality changes, depression, and other serious symptoms. MTBI can cause blurry vision, double vision, difficulties with coordination, balance, and motor skills. It can also impact strength and endurance and can cause headaches, seizures, and ringing in the ears.
Just like traumatic brain injury, MTBI may require a long term rehabilitation. A person with this injury may need to practice motor skills, get speech and communication help and may need help adjusting to a different cognitive ability. During the recovery process, the patient may suffer from depression and frustration, which can make recovery even more difficult.
Plus, since MTBI can affect cognitive and speech ability, MTBI patients may not be able to return to work. They may experience loss of income as they realize that the tasks that came easily to them before now pose a major challenge.
Although MTBI can affect a person’s lifetime, the fact that the injury is often overlooked creates a serious problem. Many victims face considerable medical bills but have trouble convincing insurance companies that they have been injured and have a serious claim to make. For MTBI patients, a good Florida attorney is a must. A good Florida lawyer can investigate the case and can work with the patient to get a fair settlement.