10605 Judicial Drive, Suite A-4 | Fairfax, Virginia 22030
Latent Symptoms of Brain and Spinal Cord Injuries After an Accident
Sometimes the most serious harm suffered in an accident is not immediately apparent. Injuries to the brain or spinal cord can be catastrophic and have lifelong effects. However, the symptoms of these injuries may take days or weeks to emerge. If you have been in a car crash that involved a heavy blow to the head or body, you need to be on the alert for potential signs of internal injury and to seek prompt medical attention for diagnosis and treatment.
Delayed symptoms can vary depending on the severity and location of the impact. The signs of a brain injury may differ from those of a spinal cord injury, or they can overlap. The following is a summary of common indications for each type.
Physical symptoms of brain injuries to watch for are headache, nausea or vomiting, fatigue, drowsiness, speech problems, dizziness and loss of balance (vertigo). There also may be sensory symptoms such as blurred vision, ringing in the ears, a bad taste in the mouth, changes in ability to smell and sensitivity to light or sound.
A brain injury victim may also experience cognitive, behavioral or mental symptoms. These can include brief losses of consciousness and a feeling of being dazed, confused or disoriented. Difficulty remembering events, especially those around the time of the accident, can be another symptom of a brain injury. There may also be difficulty concentrating, paying attention to discussions or focusing on tasks. Still other indicators are mood changes, sleeping difficulties, sleeping more than usual or experiencing nightmares.
Among the physical symptoms of spinal cord injuries that can emerge is extreme back pain or pressure in the neck, head or back. Other indicators are numbness, tingling or loss of feeling in the hands, fingers, feet or toes. Weakness, lack of coordination and trouble with balance and walking can be early signs of paralysis. Loss of bladder or bowel control might also signal a spinal cord injury.
If you or a family member experiences any of these symptoms following an accident, seek medical attention and diagnosis immediately. A CT (computed tomography) scan or an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) can assess a wide range of neurological damage. Unfortunately, severe damage to the brain or spinal cord is often not reparable. However, early detection can help victims with treatment and therapy to cope with the injuries. An attorney experienced with brain and spinal cord injuries can advise on whether there is a potential to recover financial compensation for the long-term care that might be required.
Pikrallidas & Probasco represents Virginia and Washington, D.C. residents who have suffered serious injuries due to someone else’s negligence or intentional misconduct. Our firm has offices in Fairfax, Manassas, Centreville and Front Royal. Please call us at 703-267-2600 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.
10605 Judicial Drive,
Suite A-4,
Fairfax, Virginia 22030 United States of America
7290 Centreville Road,
Manassas, Virginia 20111 United States of America
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10605 Judicial Drive, Suite A-4
Fairfax, Virginia 22030
Fairfax personal injury lawyers at Pikrallidas & Probasco are located in Fairfax, VA and serve clients in and around Fairfax, McLean, Oakton, Merrifield, Vienna, Annandale, Dunn Loring, Clifton, Fairfax Station, Mount Vernon, Falls Church, Reston, Chantilly, Alexandria, Centreville, Springfield, Herndon, Gainesville, Haymarket, Front Royal, Shenandoah County, Frederick County, Clarke County, Warren County, Fairfax County, Fairfax City, Falls Church City and Manassas Park.
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