Q: I was recently in a car accident and suffered a whiplash. How do I know if I’ve suffered a brain injury as well?
A: You should be thoroughly examined by a doctor. But in the meantime, as a guideline, ask yourself, are your present abilities and behavior different than before the accident? We all do something absent-minded once in a while, but consistent odd behavior after an accident can point to a brain injury.
Q: If there are no abrasions or lacerations on my head, are there tests to prove if you have had a minor brain injury?
A: Since victims can walk and talk and many times there are no abrasions or lacerations, minor head injuries are harder to prove than say open-head injuries. But neuroscience has come a long way and tests are now available to demonstrate mental deficiencies. Plus, in recent years, head trauma research professionals have been paying a lot of attention to minor head injuries and many realize they are not minor. In fact, many head injuries thought to be minor can cause long term problems.
Q: Is it possible to have a brain injury even if my MRI, CAT-scan and EEG showed normal results?
A: Yes. MRIs and CAT-scans are snapshots of the brain at a certain period in time. If there is no bleeding at the time of the test, the test will show up as normal even though you may have a closed-head injury.
Q: I suffered a minor head injury, but wasn’t hospitalized. Do you think this was a mistake?
A: I’m not a doctor, but I do know there is a lot of ignorance and neglect with respect to minor head injuries. Often victims look fine so many never spend any time in the hospital. It’s only after they get home or go back to work that they realize something has changed. They can’t concentrate, remember or organize things. They can’t handle numerous tasks at once and they aren’t as efficient as before.
Q: Is there a test for Post Concussion Syndrome?
A: There are a battery of tests. Typically, a neuropsychological assessment is done. This involves a standard IQ test as well as tests to measure memory, concentration, attention, mood , execution and initiation.
Q: I’ve suffered a head injury but I can’t afford to retain an attorney. What can I do?
A: Our firm works on a contingency basis. You pay nothing for attorney’s fees unless we recover money for you. Our fees are based on a percentage of the settlement. Additionally, if we think you have a case we will see that you get the medical attention and tests you need without cost to you.
Q: I was told there was a test to measure the seriousness of a coma. Do you have any information on it?
A: There is a test called Glascow Coma Scale that is usually administered upon hospital admission. It can determine the depth of a coma. It may also be administered numerous times throughout the hospital stay to help determine the length of the coma.
Q: A friend says that a coma is just another word for unconsciousness. Is this true?
A: Yes. But there are different degrees of unconsciousness. A person may be in a very deep coma where they are unresponsive to any kind of stimulation. In other cases, a person who is in a coma may move, make noise or respond to pain.
