Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) pose a serious health risk in the United States. Every year, TBIs contribute to thousands of deaths and cases of permanent disability.
A traumatic brain injury can affect a victim in many different ways. One potentially serious effect of a TBI is a loss of vision. There are three main functions of the visual system that can be impaired by a brain injury: acuity, perception and eye movement. These three functions are not interconnected, which means that one can be affected without affecting the others. A dysfunction of any of these areas can lead to the typical symptoms of a brain injury including headaches, fatigue and dizziness. The three functions are defined as follows:
- Acuity is the level of sharpness in the optic nerve of the eye. Acuity can be damaged by a direct injury to the eye. This can result in blurred vision or vision loss.
- Perception is the way the eye interprets vision and involves the occipital lobe of the brain. Perception can be damaged by an injury to the back of the head. This can result in a loss of being able to make sense of what is seen.
- Eye movements involve the brainstem. Muscles control eye movements, and if any of the muscles are damaged, this can lead to double vision.
Any of the above may be caused by a mild traumatic brain injury, which means an injury that creates a loss of consciousness or confusion and disorientation, and lasts less than 30 minutes. Any injury that lasts longer than 30 minutes is classified as a severe brain injury.
The legal remedies available to those who are injured largely depend on the injury sustained. For example, if it is a result of a car accident in which the injured party was hit by another vehicle, the injured party may have a claim against the driver of the other vehicle.
Contact an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney
If you or someone you love has suffered a TBI due to the negligence of someone else, contact an experienced personal injury attorney. A personal injury lawyer can assess your case and help you get the compensation you deserve for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. For more information, contact an attorney today.
