Head injuries are pretty common. In fact, each year, more than two million people sustain a head injury. These usually cause minimal damage because the brain is protected by the skull. That said, when a head injury causes more severe damage, the consequences can be catastrophic.

Head injuries can be classified into a variety of injuries including concussion, head trauma or traumatic brain injury. These injuries can be caused by either a blunt force (also called a closed injury) or by an object that actually penetrates the skull, called a penetrating injury.

Regardless of the type of injury, brain injuries are most common in traffic accidents, slip and fall accidents, recreational activity or work or industrial accidents.

Head injuries like these can cause a number of devastating effects, including bleeding, paralysis, seizures, hearing loss, vision loss, personality changes, changes or loss of ability to taste and smell and cognitive learning defects. Sometimes these conditions develop immediately following the injury, while often they are not recognized until much later.

If you’ve experienced a head injury, you should know when to seek medical attention. Any head injury that is accompanied by any of the following symptoms should receive medical evaluation immediately:

Blurred vision
Bleeding
Unconsciousness
Pupil changes
Sleepiness or drowsiness
Slurred speech
Difficulty with motor function
Fluid drainage from nose or ears
Severe headache
Convulsion

Brain injuries can be diagnosed using different medical procedures, including CT scans, MRIs, X-rays and a thorough neurological examination. Because some effects of a brain injury maybe latent, you should have repeated examinations if symptoms continue, or others arise.

If you’ve suffered a brain injury, the physical, emotional and financial effects can be devastating. That’s why getting the help of an experienced brain injury attorney can be an invaluable step in getting the compensation you deserve for your pain, suffering and financial loss.