When Minor Head Injuries Become Fatal
Even the most minor head injuries can be fatal under certain circumstances. Unfortunately, these fatalities are difficult to prevent. Why? Because victims have no idea how badly they have been hurt until it is far too late. Their loved ones are equally unaware of these injuries, and they are forced to watch their family members suddenly fade away. In many cases, victims collapse out of the blue – perhaps having a conversation one minute and lying on the ground the next.
If there is one thing you should take away from this article, it is that getting checked out for your head injury is extremely important. Even if you have received just a minor knock and you feel completely fine, it is worth taking a quick trip to the hospital. Always err on the side of caution. It might save your life, and TBI testing is more advanced than ever before. The second thing you should know is that it might be possible to receive compensation for your head injury.
If someone else’s negligence caused you to suffer a head injury, you have every right to sue them. Your medical expenses may be surprisingly extensive in the future – even if you received just a slight knock to the head. You should not be forced to pay these damages out of your own pocket, especially when you consider the fact that your head injury may one day prevent you from earning a living.
San Diego Doctor Suddenly Dies After Light Head Injury
On March 10, 2023, it was reported that a doctor from Point Loma, San Diego, died suddenly. About a week prior, he had experienced a head injury that seemed extremely minor. Unfortunately, this head injury was much more serious than anyone realized, and it eventually developed into what is known as “Talk and Die Syndrome” in the medical community. The accident occurred during a game of pickleball, and the 71-year-old doctor came home with a slight cut on his head. A few stitches later, he was good to go. Or so he thought.
The one mistake this doctor made was not getting imaging tests. If he had done so, the test would have revealed something that required immediate medical attention: Brain bleed. Over the next few days, this individual went on with life as normal. He felt no headaches, pain, or discomfort of any kind. He even had enough energy to attend several events. Early one morning, however, he woke up with a pounding headache and immediately knew something was wrong. He left his house, intent on going to the hospital as soon as possible.
He never reached his vehicle. Collapsing outside his residence, the doctor lost consciousness and died soon thereafter. A medical expert later revealed that this doctor’s brain bleed occurred very slowly, building up inside the skull until it had nowhere else to go. At a certain point, the blood started to compress onto the brain – and that is when things suddenly became much worse for this patient. The victim may also have experienced worse outcomes because he was on blood thinners, according to his wife.
What Exactly is “Talk and Die Syndrome?”
Talk and die syndrome refers to delayed bleeds in the brain. It refers to the fact that we can talk with victims for hours or even days and have normal conversations before they suddenly collapse and die. This is why it is so important to get adequate testing as soon as possible after a brain injury. This is also why it is so important to observe patients who have suffered even light head injuries. The common protocol today is to observe victims for at least 24 hours after they have suffered a head injury. Of course, patients can always refuse treatment, and this is common for those who believe they have suffered light injuries.
Hopefully, this article will make you think twice about refusing treatment if you ever find yourself in this situation. In addition, you should encourage loved ones to get necessary treatment after suffering head injuries, even if they are insistent that nothing is wrong. The best possible test to receive is a CT scan. This will show doctors whether there is bleeding in the brain. If bleeding is present, doctors can carry out a surgery that relieves pressure on the brain. This issue may also be treated with medication in some situations without surgical intervention.
However, it is worth mentioning that sometimes it is difficult to avoid these kinds of sudden fatalities. Even well-trained medics may not order CT scans if the patient seems to be doing fine and there is no sign of serious trauma. Often, the situation is managed perfectly and according to the proper protocols, and yet still patients lose their lives. There are some rare catastrophic events that simply cannot be averted. In this situation, you can work with a personal injury attorney to file a wrongful death lawsuit against negligent parties who caused this accident or allowed it to happen. These kinds of light head injuries may occur during sports, in auto accidents, or after a slip and fall on a wet floor.
Where Can I Find a Qualified Personal Injury Attorney in California?
If you have been searching for an experienced head injury attorney in California, look no further than Mary Alexander & Associates. We know full well how serious head injuries can be, whether you were hurt in a car crash, in a sports game, or in a grocery store. If your loved one has lost their life due to one of these tragic accidents, you have every right to explore your legal options and file a wrongful death lawsuit. Doing so can provide you with the compensation necessary to cover the lost wages that would have been provided to your family by your lost loved one. You may also receive compensation for funeral expenses and emotional distress. Get in touch with us today, and you can immediately get started with an effective action plan.
