If our heads are damaged, our lives can change radically. The abilities of once healthily functioning individuals can be greatly reduced; in the worst case, they can live indefinitely with thinking reduced to nothing.

TBI is caused by sudden shock: the head forcefully hits, or is hit by, an object or something goes through the head bone into the brain.

Such injury can range from mild to severe.

In mild cases, such as a concussion, the victim may lose consciousness briefly or not at all. They may have a headache, be confused, lightheaded or dizzy, their vision may blur, their ears might ring and they may experience bad tastes. They may be tired or lack energy or enthusiasm. Their sleep patterns, behavior or moods may change and they may have trouble remembering, concentrating or thinking.

In more severe TBI, the headache may last and get worse. The injured person may have nausea or vomit repeatedly, suffer seizures or convulsions, be unable to wake up. The pupils of one or both eyes may dilate, speech may slur, the hands and feed may be weak or numb. They may lose coordination and be confused or restless.

Someone with such symptoms should promptly see a doctor (think about the seemingly minor ski accident that led to actress Natasha Richardson’s death). Though they can do little to reverse the initial harm, they will try to stabilize the injured person and prevent further damage. They concentrate on maintaining adequate blood, and oxygen, supply to the brain and the body and on keeping blood pressure under control. They use X-rays and CT scans to check for broken bones, spinal problems and soft tissue and brain damage.

About half of patients with severe head injuries need surgery. Longer-term disabilities depend on how severe the injury is, its location and the patient’s overall health. Commonly, victims have trouble with reasoning, memory and communicating. Their behavior and personality can change as can their mental health; they may be depressed, anxious, aggressive, acting out and socially inappropriate. Sight, hearing, touch, taste and smell may be abnormal. The injury may leave them in stupor (a serious loss of mental alertness, though sharp pain or other strong stimulus can briefly arouse them) or coma (a prolonged state of deep unconsciousness with the patient non-responsive, unaware and unable to be aroused). A coma may also be called a persistent vegetative state, particularly if it lasts more than four weeks. Persistent vegetative state is not brain-death; patients are alive but can’t move or respond to their environments. They don’t think, but their bodies continue to function – they breathe, blood circulates – and they have normal sleep patterns and periods of relative alertness.

Moderately to severely injured patients undergo individually designed rehabilitation programs with physical, occupational and speech therapies, physical medicine, psychology/psychiatry and social support.

The legal ramifications of traumatic brain injuries can be complex, and The Kosner Firm can help you sort through them.