Active military personnel are significantly more susceptible to traumatic brain injuries (TBI) than civilians for obvious reasons. As for veterans, it isn’t uncommon for them to be diagnosed with conditions that are directly related to one or more TBIs that they received in the line of duty.
Irrespective of whether the injured individual is an active military personnel with a new TBI, or a retired veteran with a previously undetected concussion, coping with a serious fallout can be very challenging. Nevertheless, coping is possible in most cases, provide that the proper steps are taken. Let’s look at what those proper steps are and how they can help.
Awareness is the First Step: Get to Know the Nature of TBI
A traumatic brain injury can be described as any serious head injury which causes temporary and/or permanent brain damage. There are two main types of TBI, which can be defined in brief as follows.
- Penetrating TBI: When the skull is pierced by an object and the object manages to reach the brain.
- Blunt Force TBI: When a blunt force hit to the head shifts the brain from its original position sufficiently enough to make it clash with the skull’s inner walls.
Seek Medical Help Immediately: Never Ignore Any Head Injury
Penetrating TBI is usually a lot more serious than blunt force TBI, frequently leading to death and permanent brain damage. A blunt force trauma on the other hand may or may not lead to permanent brain damage and death, especially when treated quickly. However, it is the uncertain nature of a concussion (non-penetrating TBI) that makes it so dangerous for military personnel, veterans, or anyone else for that matter.
When someone has shrapnel in their head, the injury is visible and gruesome, which means that it cannot be ignored. The probability of the injured person receiving immediate medical attention is therefore very high. When someone receives a heavy bump on the head, however, everyone, including the injured person, are far more likely to ignore it beyond initial care.
Unfortunately, this is what makes them so dangerous. An untreated concussion can lead to swelling, internal bleeding, permanent brain damage, and even death. Sometimes, untreated or inadequately treated TBIs are known to cause gradual cognitive impairments, personality changes, psychological disorders, strokes, neurodegeneration, and so much more.
Concussions are generally accompanied by symptoms such as headache, vomiting, weakness, drowsiness, speech impairment, balance loss, blurry vision, and a host of other symptoms. Never ignore any serious head injury with similar symptoms and visit a physician at the earliest for a quick checkup.
Don’t Give Up: Seek Legal Counsel
If you have been injured in the line of duty for any reason and had to retire for it, you may deserve more compensation than you know. If you are a veteran who received his/her injury a long time ago but have only started to feel the effects more recently, you still have the right to claim compensation for your TBI.
None of that is the easiest process, especially if it has been a while. When an injured veteran is unable receive the care that he/she feels they need, the psychological effects of such unfair treatment can be extremely demoralizing. Don’t let any of that keep you from seeking legal help because it can potentially change things heavily in your favor.
Contact us and we will guide you through the legal process at every step. Visit one of our addresses below.
- Fort Smith – 122 North 11th St., Fort Smith, AW 72901
- Fayetteville – 509 E Millsap Rd., Suite 102, Fayetteville, AR 72703
- Rogers – 211 North Second St. Rogers, AR 72756
- Jonesboro – 3000 Browns Lane, Jonesboro, AR 72401
- Little Rock – 10809 Executive Center Drive, Suite 111, Little Rock, AR 72211
Call now for a free consultation on (800) 671-4100.