Brain injuries in children are referred to as head injuries or traumatic brain injuries (TBI), depending on the injury’s extent. A brain injury can be a slight bump or a cut on the head to a concussion, internal bleeding, or damage to the brain.
Brain injury is a broad term that includes a range of injuries that can occur. Your child can get injured during a slip and fall accident, or fall off their bicycle and get injured on the scalp, skull, or brain, or get internal bleeding or damage to the brain. It is one of the leading causes of death in children.
Here’s how brain injuries in children can lead to long-term effects.
Common Brain Injuries & Their Long-Term Effects on Children
These commonly experience brain injuries resulting from a slip and fall accident, motor vehicle accident, swimming pool accident, bicycle accident, etc. Depending on their severity, they can cause long-term effects on children.
Contusion
It is a bruise on the brain that causes instant swelling and internal bleeding. In most cases, this is on the same area where the child was struck; however, sometimes, it is on the opposite area of the brain where it hits the skull. It can be due to a violent shake or a hard hit on the head. It can result in blurred or double vision or slurred speech.
Concussion
It is a bump or jolt on the head area that depending on the severity, can cause a range of long-term effects on your child. They can lose their sense of awareness and alertness. If not treated on time or given proper care, these can lead to multiple concussions, instigating several other long-term effects. A few symptoms that will help you identify this problem include memory loss, dizziness, headaches, confusion, and problems with cognitive abilities.
Skull Fracture
The most severe type of skull fracture in children is the basilar skull fracture. It involves breaking a bone; the common indications are children with big bruises around their eyes and a bruise behind their ears. The child may also have clear fluid from their nose or ears. It is due to the tearing of their brain cover.
Symptoms of Brain Injuries (Mild to Severe)
Mild Brain injury
- From seconds to many minutes of unconsciousness
- Headache
- Nausea or diarrhea
- Fatigue or somnolence
- Speech disorders
- Trouble sleeping
- More sleep than normal
- The inability to stand or balance
- Eyesight haze, ringing in the ears, and changes in taste or smell
- Issues with attention or memory
- Mood swings or fluctuations in mood
- Experiencing anxiety or depression
Moderate Brain Injury
- Loss of consciousness that can last for hours or more
- Repeated instances of nausea or vomiting
- Seizures or tremors
- Having trouble waking up from sleep
- Feeling weak or numb in the fingers and toes
- Increase in the size of one or both eye pupils
- Constant headaches
- Clear liquids coming out of the ears or nose
- Inability to coordinate
- Extreme bewilderment
- Combativeness, agitation, or other odd conduct
- Unsteady speech
Severe Brain Injury
Unfortunately, most severe brain injuries result in the child’s death. They may also lose consciousness for more than 24 hours and go into a coma for days, weeks, or even months. Children never regain their pre-injury state, even after months of recovery. Here are the common symptoms to look out for:
- Blurred or double vision
- Nausea and vomiting
- Unequal eye pupil size or dilation
- Constant headaches
- Slurred speech
- Seizures or tremors
- Clear liquids coming out of the ears or nose
- Seizures
- Loss of balance
Contact an Experienced Accident Lawyer in Nevada
The brain injury’s intensity (mild, moderate, or severe) causes different side effects on the child. If your child has recently been an accident victim, you must contact an experienced lawyer who can advise you on your next steps and get you the compensation you deserve.
The Bourassa Law Group is a committed group of personal injury lawyers in Nevada who are ready to fight for you as and when needed. Call us at (800) 870 – 8910 for a free consultation today!
1-800-870-8910