When a West Virginia resident experiences a traumatic brain injury, they could suffer serious consequences that have an impact on their lives well after the injury actually occurred. While many TBIs result from car accidents, a forceful movement or shaking can also cause life-changing injuries to the brain.

The symptoms that a person may have depends on the injury’s severity. In some cases, the immediate effects could include confusion or dizziness. The person could even lose consciousness for a brief period of time. Other symptoms could also include a loss of balance, headaches and even a change in behavior. If the injury is more severe, an individual could suffer from fluid coming out of their nose or ears, and they may lose consciousness for longer than a few minutes and be unable to wake up.

Treatments for traumatic brain injuries can include medication, or health care professionals may even place a person in a drug-induced coma to give the brain a chance to recover. Surgery may also be an option. Treatment could extend even after the physical injury has healed; patients may require a team of specialists to help with rehabilitation.

A head injury caused by a serious accident can have a major impact on the injured person’s future. If that individual is unable to work following a TBI or suffers other long-term complications, such as constant headaches, nausea or behavioral changes, they may want to speak to a personal injury lawyer. An attorney may be able to collect medical records of the injury to use as evidence in a case against the negligent party. Compensation could be award for current and future hospital expenses as well as for lost wages and possibly pain and suffering.