Often, when we think of car accidents, we think of broken bones and cuts and bruises. We do not consider what might be happening on the inside, especially to our children who are injured in an auto accident. A combination of factors can make them more susceptible to a traumatic brain injury. A traumatic brain injury (TBI) occurs when an external mechanical force causes brain dysfunction and is generally the result of a violent blow or jolt to the head or body.
Symptoms of a Traumatic Brain Injury
If you have been involved in a car accident and your children were in the car with you, it is important to pay attention to certain symptoms and signs of a TBI, which can include:
- Loss of consciousness (for a few seconds to a few minutes)
- Dazed, confused or disoriented
- Headache
- Nausea or vomiting
- Fatigue or drowsiness
- Irregular sleeping patterns
- Dizziness
- Sensitivity to light or sound
- Memory or concentration problems
- Mood changes or mood swings
- Feeling depressed or anxious
It is the memory or concentration problems that often show up in a classroom setting. Discuss your auto accident with your child’s teacher, so that he or she can be on the look out for any potential symptoms of a traumatic brain injury. These injuries often do not show up right away, but can involve substantial financial investment (in the form of doctors visits, special tutoring, and more) down the road. An experienced auto accident attorney in Woodland Hills will be able to discuss with you your ability to recover financial compensation for related expenses.
Special Needs of Children Who Suffer a TBI
It is a fact that school-aged children who suffer serious head or brain trauma may require additional accommodations at both home and school in order to succeed in continuing their education. A few of some examples of the special needs of school—aged children who sustained a traumatic brain injury include:
- Time off school immediately following the accidentAllowing more time for tests or assignments, assisting with note taking, extra tutoring, and moreRescheduling testsBeing sensitive to avoid high-pressure scenarios for the child, such as calling on him or her during class
This list is not exhaustive. Talk to a medical professional about other effects of a TBI on school-aged children.
It is possible that if your child has suffered a traumatic brain injury, he or she will require an individualized education program, or IEP. An IEP defines the individualized objectives of a child who has been found with a disability, as defined by federal regulations. The Program describes how the student learns, how the student best demonstrates that learning and what teachers and service providers will do to help the student learn more effectively. In order to develop an IEP, your child must be assessed in all areas related to any known disabilities.
For more information on how to recover the type of financial compensation necessary to treat a traumatic brain or head injury, contact experienced personal injury attorney Barry P. Goldberg today.
