If you suffer a traumatic brain injury (TBI) in an on-the-job accident, you can have both short-term and long-term symptoms. The symptoms can also vary dramatically based on the part of the brain that was harmed, the severity of the injury and other such factors.
It is very important to get medical care after a TBI. For this reason, it can be beneficial to understand what symptoms to look for and what warning signs may indicate that it’s time to go to the hospital.
Top TBI symptoms
Although every injury is unique, below are some of the most common symptoms of a traumatic brain injury:
- Issues with short-term or long-term memory
- Extreme sensitivity to both light and sound
- Mood swings, depression, irritability and other emotional changes
- Excessive fatigue or difficulty falling asleep
- Persistent headaches that may develop into migraines
- Issues with balance, including feeling lightheaded and dizzy; some people even develop serious conditions like vertigo
- Mental confusion or general brain fog
- A ringing in the ears or a bad taste in the mouth
- Slurred speech and trouble communicating
- A reduction in fine motor skills
In some cases, brain injuries can be severe and long-lasting. For instance, you may experience symptoms that last for days or even weeks; in some cases, healing plateaus and the symptoms could become a disability you have for the rest of your life. But even when the symptoms aren’t this severe, the issues above may indicate that it’s time to get medical attention.
Seeking compensation
If you were hurt on the job, you may deserve workers’ comp benefits. These can cover medical bills and pay you a portion of your lost wages.
