Can TBI still occur without loss of consciousness?

Personal Injury - July 11, 2024

The loss of consciousness is a key indicator of a traumatic brain injury (TBI). However, not all TBIs present with unconsciousness as a symptom. Other signs of a traumatic brain injury must be taken into consideration.

A Chicago brain injury lawyer from  Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates, can help you navigate the medical ambiguities and legal complexities of a traumatic brain injury claim.

A man getting checked out by a doctor after a TBI without loss of consciousness

Can you have a TBI without losing consciousness?

Damage to the brain can occur from blunt force trauma and indirect forces. Severe shaking, shock waves from an explosion, and intraparenchymal hemorrhage (brain bleed disorder) are all examples of damage to the brain that may cause unconsciousness. Even mild brain injuries can result in a loss of consciousness that ranges from a few minutes to an hour or more.

According to a study from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, unconsciousness is caused when enough stress is placed on the brain tissue to create a sudden electric discharge that disrupts the nerve cells throughout the brain. However, in milder to moderate cases of TBI, a person may experience abnormal states of consciousness. A person may present with:

  • Memory loss of the injury taking place or the events immediately after.
  • Unresponsive Wakefulness Syndrome (UWS), or a period of unresponsiveness
  • Minimal consciousness, where the person seems somewhat aware of themselves and their surroundings but not fully engaged

Whether or not a person loses consciousness depends on the type and severity of the injury. The most common brain injuries that result in a TBI include:

  • Penetration of the skull leads to damage to the brain tissue (such as a foreign object)
  • Violent back-and-forth motion of the neck, causing the head to move back and forth rapidly, leading to the brain slamming against the interior of the skull
  • Skull fractures
  • Contusions (bruises to the brain itself)
  • Hematoma (blood clots)
  • Diffuse axonal injury (DAI)

While a TBI is likely to lead to an unconscious state, brain damage can present differently and will depend on several of the above factors.

Understanding your risks in a TBI and loss of consciousness

If you lose consciousness for any length of time, seek out immediate medical care. Follow your doctor’s orders. If you do not recall losing consciousness, consider the following symptoms that may also indicate that a TBI has occurred:

  • Dilated pupils
  • Blurry vision
  • Dizziness
  • Ringing in the ears
  • Consistent fatigue
  • Persistent headaches
  • Nausea and vomiting unrelated to another illness

In these situations, you may notice a significant change in the way you feel and even the way you think. Some people also suffer from the onset of mental health disorders such as:

  • Amnesia
  • Memory problems
  • Personality changes
  • Confusion
  • Irritability

These TBI symptoms can occur with or without the loss of consciousness, and all warrant seeking medical treatment if they happen to you. Your doctor will conduct evaluations to determine what type of care you may need. If you have any of these symptoms, it is best to seek out care from your doctor right away to ensure you get the protections you need.

Establishing a TBI without loss of consciousness

Ultimately, through imaging, symptom evaluation, and scans, it may be evident that you suffered a TBI without losing consciousness. In these situations, the evidence provided by your doctor, along with documentation of any injuries and losses you have, can help prove your case and show that you suffered a TBI.

Hiring an attorney can help you with these more challenging claims.

A TBI can still occur without loss of consciousness, but the burden of proving that this happened to you and led to ongoing injuries and losses is on you. As a trusted personal injury attorney, we encourage you to contact our team at Horwitz, Horwitz & Associates, to learn more about the rights you have to compensation after such an incident. Our legal team is here to help you. Call our office today at (800) 985-1819 to schedule a free consultation.