It is always heartbreaking when someone suffers traumatic brain injury, but it is even more devastating when it happens to your child. Traumatic brain injury is caused by a blow to the head—even a minor impact can cause major damage—and could affect a child’s cognitive, physical, behavioral, and emotional abilities.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), traumatic brain injury is a major cause of disability and death among children. Motor vehicle accidents are a significant factor in the number of TBIs suffered by children. A 2010 study found that motor vehicle accidents:

  • accounted for 14% of TBIs in children.
  • were the leading cause of TBI-related deaths in children and young adults aged 5-24.
  • were the leading cause of non-fatal TBI-related hospitalizations in young adults aged 15-24.

Symptoms of Traumatic Brain Damage Parents Need to Watch For

It is critical that parents be alert for symptoms that their child has suffered a traumatic brain injury because these problems might not emerge until weeks or months later. Some of the symptoms include the following:

  • Physical disabilities. A child could have problems seeing, hearing, or speaking, or have problems with balance and walking. He might experience extreme fatigue, muscle spasms, or paralysis. These changes can be very frightening for a child and could be permanent.
  • Difficulties with thinking and reasoning. A child could have troubles with short-term and long-term memory, concentration, and reasoning. He may struggle with reading, writing, and work requiring him to make judgments. These types of problems often result in difficulties in school and could be life-long challenges.
  • Social, behavioral or emotional problems. A child could experience mood swings, depression, low self-esteem, lack of motivation, and inability to control his emotions. His parents could incorrectly think these behavioral changes are being caused by puberty and hormonal fluctuations. But if a child has ever had a head injury, he should be assessed for traumatic brain injury, especially if he is suddenly experiencing some of the other symptoms as well.

Early and ongoing treatment will be critical for a child’s adjustment to these life-altering changes. Medication, physical therapy, counseling, and special assistance at school most likely will be needed.

If your child has suffered a traumatic brain injury caused by another person’s actions, you need to pursue compensation for him. You want to be certain that he will be able to pay for the medical expenses, rehabilitation, and other assistance he’ll need throughout his life. Call us at 800-989-6385 for a free consultation to learn how you can get your child the help he needs.

Peter Steinberg
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Los Angeles Personal Injury Attorney Since 1982