How Do Doctors Diagnose Traumatic Brain Injuries?

New York shoppers should not worry whether store owners clean up and mark spills. Unfortunately, slip-and-fall accidents happen, and they may cause a traumatic brain injury.

Mayo Clinic explains how medical professionals diagnose TBIs. To build a strong legal case, premises liability victims must understand the full scope of their injuries.

Symptom and injury details

Doctors usually ask potential TBI patients a few questions about their symptoms and the injury. They ask whether the person blacked out, how the fall happened, if the person struck any other body part and whether the patient noticed changes to coordination or speech. Witness statements could help paint a picture of the accident.

Glasgow Coma Scale

A 15-point test called the Glasgow Coma Scale helps gauge TBI severity. Patients move their limbs and eyes, follow directions and speak to measure speech coherence. The higher a person scores on the scale, the less severe the brain injury.

Intracranial pressure monitor

Slip-and-fall victims who experience brain tissue inflammation may require an intracranial pressure monitor. Doctors use a probe inserted through the cranium to monitor the swelling.

Imaging tests

Magnetic resonance imaging tests combine magnets and radio waves to create an in-depth image of the brain. Doctors usually recommend the test if a person’s symptoms do not improve or once the patient stabilizes.

Another TBI imaging test is the computerized tomography scan. It relies on X-rays to create brain images. Health care professionals use the scan to check for brain bleeds, fractures, bruising of brain tissue and brain tissue inflammation.

A TBI diagnosis affects how much accident victims deserve for premises liability damages. Results could affect the rest of a person’s life.