Every day, roughly 138 Americans die from a brain injury. They commonly occur after car accidents, hits during sporting events or falls in the tub. Such injuries can also occur as the result of a domestic dispute or because of medical malpractice. Since a brain injury can result in potentially fatal consequences, it is important for West Virginians to recognize the symptoms.

Symptoms of a brain injury can include slurred speech, headaches and numbness. Weakness may also be felt in the arms or legs, and some people may get dizzy or vomit. Depending on a patient’s condition, the remedy for a head injury may simply be to rest until symptoms recede. However, it may also be necessary for an injured person to have surgery or take medication. Doctors will determine a patient’s condition through imaging tests or asking those who witnessed the injury how it occurred.

Those who experience numbness, weakness or slurred speech after a hit to the head should seek treatment immediately. Waiting to receive treatment may make symptoms worse, and it may also make it harder to determine how they occurred. As doctors can make mistakes when diagnosing brain injuries, it could be beneficial to get a second opinion to ensure that no significant damage has occurred.

A traumatic brain injury could take months or years to recover from. Therefore, such injuries may result in medical bills that need to be paid and lost earnings from missing work. If an accident that led to a head injury was caused by a negligent individual, that person may be held responsible for paying those damages. A financial award could be determined in a settlement or through a jury award.