Epilepsy and Brain Injuries
This month is National Epilepsy Awareness Month. There are currently more than two million people in this country who suffer from epilepsy, which is characterized by unprovoked and recurrent seizures. There are several causes of epilepsy, including traumatic brain injuries (TBI). Over one million people sustain TBIs every year. Some of the most common ways include vehicle accidents or sport injuries. Epileptic seizures can occur in severe, moderate, and even mild head traumas. If not medically recognized or treated properly, victims can not only suffer from additional seizures, but may face other major health issues and disabilities, and even death.
A severe head trauma is one where the victim lost consciousness for more than one day or suffered from internal bleeding of the brain. A moderate head injury is defined as loss of consciousness for between 15 minutes and 6 hours. Adults who have suffered from severe head trauma in an accident have a fifteen percent risk of developing epilepsy. For children, that risk doubles to a 30 percent risk. The risk for both adults and children jumps to approximately 50 percent if the injury they suffered involved a penetration of the brain. However, even mild TBIs can leave a victim suffering with permanent reoccurring seizures.
Epileptic seizures in TBIs usually develop post-trauma. Early seizures which occur directly after the trauma usually go away; however, they may be an indicator of a potential risk of epilepsy. Victims who have suffered from TBIs, even if they do not struggle with seizures, may struggle with other long-term health problems such as dizziness, migraine headaches, problems with concentration or memory, and other neurological issues.
If you’ve been in an accident that has caused you to receive a traumatic brain injury due to negligence, it is important to contact an attorney. If you are suffering effects from a head injury, contact an experienced New Braunfels personal injury attorney to find out what compensation you may be entitled to for pain and loss.
