A traumatic brain injury can change your life in an instant. From a slip and fall at your place of employment to a motor vehicle accident, this type of injury has the potential to pop up when you least expect it.
No two injuries and no two people are the same, so there’s no way of knowing what type of treatment you’ll require in the event of a traumatic brain injury.
While surgery isn’t always required, it’s something your medical team will strongly consider. For example, emergency surgery is often called upon to deal with one or more of the following problems:
- Repairing a skull fracture: Letting a skull fracture heal on its own is not always possible, especially if there are loose pieces of bone in the brain (or in close proximity). A surgical procedure can help repair the fracture and remove any fragments that could cause future damage.
- Removing a blood clot: Bleeding within or outside the brain can cause a clot. This can result in too much pressure on the brain, which increases the chance of damaging its tissue.
- Bleeding in the brain: Bleeding in the brain doesn’t typically stop on its own. If this is left to continue, it can result in serious brain damage or even death.
- Opening a window: Surgery is often necessary to open a window in the skull as a means of relieving pressure. This also affords your medical team the opportunity to drain spinal fluid or blood from in and around your brain.
There are times when surgery takes place immediately following your accident. There are also times when a procedure occurs in the future, such as if your doctor finds that an issue is persisting or worsening.
If you suffer a traumatic brain injury on the job, your first goal should be to receive medical attention. The sooner you do this, the better chance you have of stabilizing your health and making a full recovery.
Once you receive treatment and understand your prognosis, learn more about your accident and legal rights in Pennsylvania. You may be able to file a claim for workers’ compensation benefits, while seeking additional forms of compensation through other means.