Those who have suffered head injuries need to be aware of the risk of a brain bleed. This is also often referred to as a hemorrhage. There are various types of bleeding that can occur around the brain, such as intracranial hematomas or subdural hematomas, depending on where they are located.
But the general issue that the person is facing is that a blood vessel within the brain has been ruptured. This has caused bleeding in the brain tissue, between the brain and the skull or within the membrane that surrounds and protects the brain – the dura matter. Slowly, pressure can build up within these areas. In some cases, this pressure can become so great that the bleeding becomes fatal or results in life-changing complications.
What symptoms should you look for?
It’s important to take this risk very seriously because the symptoms may not be apparent at the exact same time as the injury. Bleeding could be very minor, and a person could feel like they have not been injured or that they will recover quickly. They may think they have a minor brain injury, such as a concussion. But the symptoms can get much worse with time and should not be overlooked. Examples include:
- The onset of serious headaches or migraines
- Paralysis in a specific area, such as an arm, a leg, or even a portion of the face
- A feeling of numbness or sudden tingling
- The onset of vomiting or a general feeling of nausea
- The development of seizures
- Trouble swallowing or eating
- Issues with vision, such as difficulty seeing or sensitivity to light
Often, as the brain bleed progresses, a person may begin to have slurred speech, trouble balancing and/or issues processing information. When something like this occurs, it is important for that individual to seek medical assistance as soon as possible.
Your options for compensation
Of course, getting this type of medical assistance can be very expensive, and the injury may have been caused by someone else’s negligence. Those who find themselves in this position need to know how they can potentially seek financial compensation with the assistance of a legal professional.