Busting TBI Myths: Separating Fact from Fiction

• July 2, 2024
• Attorney Matt Stoddard
• Personal Injury

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is more than a headache. It is a damaging event to one of the brain’s most complex organs. TBIs range in severity from mild to moderate to severe. The severity and the portion of the brain damaged play a critical role in a victim’s recovery and quality of life.

Unfortunately, misconceived notions regarding a TBI can lead to additional forms of harm. Victims may suffer unnecessarily and fail to receive appropriate medical care. Doing everything possible to help you or a loved one with a TBI is vital for their prognosis. In order to successfully do this, one must separate fact from fiction with TBI myths.

Misunderstanding TBIs can lead to delayed diagnosis

What you think you might know may prevent needed care.

Television and social media sometimes influence those seeking medical advice. The source of the information plays a critical role in what the researcher believes is truth. Googling medical advice is never a good idea, yet many victims and their families desire instant information. However, misunderstanding a TBI can lead to a delayed diagnosis, one with severe consequences for the victim.

Busting through TBI common myths is crucial for better understanding what is at risk and why urgent, professional medical care is imperative.

Common TBI Myths

False information can impact recovery.

A TBI is a frightening event that can change the course of your or your loved one’s life. Separating fact from fiction is vital for securing the appropriate care as soon as possible. The following list of common TBI myths can serve as a guide for those navigating a new normal:

Myth: You Have to Lose Consciousness to Have a TBI

Fact: Anyone can suffer a TBI without losing consciousness. Victims who do not lose consciousness remain at risk for severe, long-term, and life-altering effects.

Myth: Concussions are Not Serious Injuries

Fact: A concussion is a severe injury affecting nerves and blood vessels and causing chemical changes in the brain. The injury’s severity and the victim’s age are two critical factors that can impact recovery.

Myth: If You Can Talk and Walk, You Don’t Have a Brain Injury

Fact: A brain injury remains possible despite a person’s ability to talk and walk. A lack of visible symptoms does not discount the presence of a TBI.

Myth: Rest is Always the Best Treatment for TBI

Fact: Rest is an essential component of TBI recovery. However, a moderate to severe TBI typically requires advanced medical care and rehabilitation.

Myth: Recovery is Only Possible in the First Few Months

Fact: TBI recovery is generally faster in the first six months. Each individual’s recovery process is unique and may require a lengthier recovery period.

Myth: All head injuries are the same

Fact: No two head injuries are the same. The cause, location, and severity are defining factors, along with a patient’s overall health.

These are just a few examples of TBI myths that, if believed, can profoundly affect the trajectory of someone’s care. Separating fact from fiction is where a medical professional can help you.

The Importance of Recognizing TBI Symptoms

Immediate medical attention is necessary for a proper diagnosis.

Recognizing TBI symptoms is crucial for you or your loved one.  Even mild symptoms may escalate into severe, complex TBI problems.

Seeking immediate medical care is vital, regardless of whether you or your loved one exhibits any symptoms. However, common TBI symptoms that may signal a brain injury include:

• Dizziness
• Lightheadedness
• Confusion
• Blurred or lost vision
• Slurred speech
• Convulsions or seizures
• Inability to remain awake
• Nausea or vomiting
• Confusion or memory issues.

Imaging equipment and professionally trained medical personnel can identify issues not visible to the naked eye. If you or a loved one experienced a bump, blow, jolt, or penetrating head injury, seek medical action immediately.

The Road to Recovery

TBI severity impacts a patient’s road to recovery.

A brain injury is a complex medical condition. There is no timeline for healing like there is for a broken arm or leg. The road to recovery for TBI victims is often slow and steady. Patience becomes a virtue as many struggle to relearn the most basic tasks. For some, the extent of their TBI is so devastating they require care in a skilled nursing facility.

A TBI disrupts brain function. A severe injury may disrupt one or more of the following in you or a loved one:

• Cognitive skills
• Motor skills
• Behavioral and emotional skills
• Reduction or loss of senses, such as taste, smell, vision, or hearing.

The financial impact along the road to recovery is significant. Medical costs for a TBI are staggering and unfair when the result of negligence. A Georgia TBI attorney can help you plan for your or your loved one’s future by fighting for fair compensation now. Never accept an insurance company’s offer of a settlement before you speak with an attorney.

The road to compensation is a one-time opportunity for legal action. It is too critical to leave to chance. By allowing a TBI attorney to manage your case, you are free to focus on relearning basic tasks or to spend more time with those you love.

The Stoddard Firm: Your Georgia TBI Attorneys

We help TBI victims of negligence fight for what they deserve.

A TBI is a traumatic event that can forever change you or someone you love. For many victims, there is no return to the life they knew before the accident.

At The Stoddard Firm, we understand the tremendous financial, physical, and emotional impact such an injury has on families. The ripple effect of one negligent person’s acts is devastating. As Georgia TBI attorneys, we fight for the justice and compensation TBI victims need and deserve. We do so by firmly negotiating with insurance companies or presenting cases at trial.

Take charge of your future by scheduling a free consultation today. The Stoddard Firm listens and cares for clients while aggressively pursuing a fair settlement. Call 470-467-2200 to learn more.