A new study by researchers at the University of California Los Angeles has found a link between head injuries and the development of serious illnesses. The link lies in the discovery of master genes that control other genes that are linked to illnesses including Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, autism, schizophrenia, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, stroke, and attention deficient hyperactivity disorder.
The UCLA life scientists report they discovered that when a traumatic brain injury damages these master genes, the master genes can malfunction causing changes in other genes. These changes then trigger serious psychiatric and neurological disorders. Research is continuing and may yield information on how to treat brain diseases. However, the study does seem to be more evidence that traumatic brain injuries can have long-lasting, life-altering impacts on an accident victim’s life.
Symptoms of Brain Injuries
It is important to remember that a brain injury can occur from even a slight blow to the head. You do not need to have outward trauma to the head to suffer a brain injury. A slight blow to the head can cause the brain to move within the skull. As the brain violently strikes the skull, damages to brain tissue occur. While many brain injuries heal completely, some injuries result in permanent damage.
The key is to receive a correct diagnosis as soon as possible so treatment can begin. Therefore, you should always be checked by a physician after any accident but especially if you begin to experience any symptoms of a brain injury including:
- Loss of consciousness
- Vomiting or nausea
- Blurry vision or ringing in the ears
- Inability to sleep or fatigue
- Headaches
- Loss of balance or dizziness
- Depression, mood changes, memory loss, or problems concentrating
For a full list of symptoms, visit the Mayo Clinic’s website. It is important to remember, you may or may not experience all of these symptoms, and you may not experience symptoms for a few days or weeks. The important thing to remember is to be seen by a physician as soon as possible after any accident.
Collecting Damages in a Brain Injury Case
Brain injuries can result in a variety of ways. The most common causes of brain injuries include motor vehicle accidents and falls. However, brain injuries can also be caused by sports injuries, medical malpractice, dog attacks, violence, and bicycle accidents. Any accident that results in a severe blow to the head or a penetrating wound to the head can result in traumatic brain injury.
The damages in a brain injury case can be substantial because the long-term disability caused by some brain injuries requires full-time medical and personal care. It is very important to hire a New Orleans brain injury attorney who understands how to calculate a claim correctly to include future lost wages and future medical expenses in addition to the losses you have incurred through the present date.
Call Our New Orleans Brain Injury Attorney for Help
If you suffered a brain injury, our attorneys can help you secure compensation from the responsible party or parties. It is important to contact our office as soon as possible to protect your right to file a brain injury claim.
Call Attorney Fred Olinde of The Olinde Firm. At (504) 587-1440 or 1-800-587-1889 to schedule a free legal consultation and no-obligation case evaluation with one of our New Orleans personal injury attorneys.