WHAT IS THE MISERABLE MINORITY?
September 15, 2016
The problems associated with brain injuries are as complicated as the brain itself. Even though several studies can pinpoint the most common signs and symptoms of traumatic brain injuries, not even science can predict with absolute certainty what those signs and symptoms will be for all cases and persons. This is especially true regarding mild traumatic brain injuries.
Generally, a person who has suffered a mild traumatic injury may experience loss of consciousness, memory loss, or symptoms such as fatigue, headaches, sleep disturbances, nausea, and slowness in thinking and/or mood changes, among others.
In 85% of the cases, these symptoms will go away within three to six months. However, approximately 15% of individuals with mild traumatic brain injury – referred to as the miserable minority – will develop persistent and long term symptoms.[1]
It is worth noting that the term “mild traumatic brain injury” is oftentimes misleading because the medical term “mild” refers to the severity of the injury and not the consequences of such injury. In some cases, the consequences can be devastating, everlasting and life altering.
The possibilities that these consequences will develop increases if a proper evaluation is not conducted by the ER personnel and/or treating physicians at the time the injury occurred. Because the symptoms and signs are so mild that they may go unnoticed even by experienced medical professionals, the risk of these consequences developing is even higher for mild traumatic brain injuries. For this reason, this has become a major issue in litigation not only in Texas but across the United States.
If you or a loved one has suffered a mild traumatic injury and you feel you and/or loved one may be part of this miserable minority we recommend that you seek proper medical evaluation as soon as possible, and even obtain a second opinion if the symptoms of your brain injury persist. The attorneys at the Amaro Law Firm have experience dealing with brain injury cases, and will make sure you obtain adequate medical treatment as well as the compensation you are entitled to if your injury was caused by the negligence of another person. Contact us for a free case evaluation now.