Children play hard, and it is impossible for parents to prevent the injuries that are likely to occur due to their rough-and-tumble behavior. While many of these may be minor bumps, bruises, or scratches, it is important to be alert for the signs of something more serious. In the summer months, children are busy in parks and engaging in recreational sports, which increases their risk of suffering bumps and blows to the head. Unfortunately, traumatic brain injuries can occur as a result. A Virginia Beach brain injury attorney knows the following signs and symptoms to be alert for.
Common Causes of Brain Injuries Among Children
According to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), injuries to the head and brain are one of the most common causes of death and disability in the U.S., and children are among those most at risk. More than 350,000 suffer some type of traumatic brain injury (TBI) each year. Among the leading causes include:
- Slips, trips, and falls on sidewalks and in playgrounds or public parks
- Sports-related injuries caused by being struck by equipment or by interactions with other players
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Pedestrian and bicycle injuries
- Acts of violence and altercations with other children
Even a seemingly minor bump, blow, or jolt to the head can end up resulting in serious brain injuries, with symptoms that may take days, weeks, or even months to appear.
Signs of Brain Injury in Children
If your child suffers any suspected head injury, it is crucial to seek medical care immediately. Not doing so could cause serious complications, including death and the potential for lasting disabilities. The Mayo Clinic advises that the signs of brain injury can be subtle, particularly in children. Symptoms to be alert for include the following:
- Loss of consciousness, even for only a few seconds
- Inability to remember details surrounding their accident or the moments leading up to it
- Difficulty speaking or understanding what is being said
- Excessive fatigue and drowsiness
- Lack of coordination and inability to walk steadily or perform other movements
- Blurred vision or ringing in the ears
- Sensitivity to light and loud noises
- Increased anxiety and agitation
- Mood-related disorders, such as depression, fits of anger, or rage
Increased isolation and withdrawal from friends or family activities is another common sign that can occur as the result of a brain injury. Unfortunately, these types of injuries in children can end up having lingering impacts on learning and development, while any subsequent head injuries can end up causing permanent brain damage.
Contact Our Personal Injury Law Firm for Legal Assistance
If you or a loved one has suffered a head injury due to the negligence of another person, you may be entitled to financial compensation for the pain and losses that were a result of that injury. Our Virginia brain injury attorneys have successfully represented many accident victims and their families, like the $5.5 million truck accident settlement for a family whose daughters both suffered brain injuries when a commercial truck driver rear-ended their car at a red light.
Contact Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp to schedule a free consultation to find out what legal recourse you may have.
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For over twenty years, Mr. Sharp's law practice has focused on serious personal injury claims, including traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injury claims. He also handles nursing home neglect cases and medical malpractice claims. Mr. Sharp has counseled numerous clients about the complexities concerning litigation of both pediatric and adult brain injury. Mr. Sharp has been awarded the AV Preeminent ranking by Martindale, the highly respected and widely utilized directory of lawyers throughout the world. AV Preeminent status is awarded only to those lawyers who achieve the highest level of success within the legal field and is a testament to the fact that a lawyer's peers and Judges rank him at the highest level of professional excellence. He has also been recognized as a "Best Lawyer" by U.S. News for personal injury, an accolade awarded to only a small fraction of lawyers. Mr. Sharp has also been recognized by Super Lawyers as one of the top personal injury lawyers in Virginia. This recognition is awarded only to those lawyers who have achieved the highest level of success and have been recognized by their peers as demonstrating the highest level of professional excellence.
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