Hits to the head, such as those that might occur during an accident or while playing sports, can lead to several different types of brain injuries. One possible brain injury is an intracranial hematoma. This is a condition that involves bleeding in the brain or between the brain and the skull. An intracranial hematoma is an interesting brain injury because it can lead to death quickly or it can increase in severity slowly.

On behalf of Joseph Caprara of CBLAW posted in Brain Injuries on Tuesday, August 11, 2015.

Hits to the head, such as those that might occur during an accident or while playing sports, can lead to several different types of brain injuries. One possible brain injury is an intracranial hematoma. This is a condition that involves bleeding in the brain or between the brain and the skull. An intracranial hematoma is an interesting brain injury because it can lead to death quickly or it can increase in severity slowly.

When a person suffers a hit to the head, the symptoms of an intracranial hematoma might become evident right away. In some cases, the victim might go through a lucid interval, which means he or she remains symptom-free for up to several weeks after the accident before symptoms manifest.

Symptoms of an intracranial hematoma include slurred speech, headache that increases in intensity as time progresses, drowsiness, vomiting, confusion, dizziness, and confusion. Those symptoms can lead to unconsciousness, lethargy and seizures as the pressure on the brain increases.

In many cases, an intracranial hematoma requires surgery to relieve pressure on the brain. The treatment for this condition often lasts long after the surgery. In some cases, anticonvulsants might be prescribed for up to a year after the surgery.

Occupational therapy, physical therapy and continued medical care might be necessary for years after the accident. In some cases, recovery might be incomplete. Generally, the majority of the recovery adults will experience occur within 6 months after the accident; however, progress might continue to occur at a slower pace for up to 2 years after the accident.

With the long recovery, intense treatment plan and the effects on the victim’s life, it is easy to understand why some will opt to seek compensation. Knowing how to seek the compensation you deserve can help you as you move through the process.

Source: Mayo Clinic, “Intracranial hematoma,” accessed Aug. 11, 2015