In our last article “A Brief Review of Children and Traumatic Brain Injury“, we only skimmed the surface of a very serious subject: children who have suffered a traumatic brain injury. The logical conclusion we arrived at is the importance of a parent being informed and vigilant. We would like to take the discussion a step further and recommend five actions to be taken in response to a child suffering a head injury.
Take Immediate Action
Seek immediate medical attention, if you witness or even suspect an injury. How will you know if there is a problem? This is where information and vigilance come in handy. If you are either or both, you will recognize that severe headaches, nausea, dizziness, impaired senses and memory loss are among the signs of trouble following TBI.
Seek Proper Rehabilitation
Adults suffering from TBI will suffer similar but less severe symptoms. Rehabilitation will likely come from a medical professional covered by their insurance. The impact of TBI on children is more severe but their school will have services suited to their symptoms. First, someone will have to meet with health professionals and educators to develop an Individualized Education Program, or IEP. This is so that all required accommodations are put down in writing for future educators to refer to. Beyond that, there is physical therapy, speech/language therapy and occupational therapy. A doctor should still be involved in these decisions. A case manager can also help tremendously during this stressful time.
Do Not Rush Return to Activity
Speaking of doctors, they must also be consulted before a child returns to any sports or strenuous after-school activities. Schools, coaches and recreational staff should already know of the injury and be educated regarding concussions due to sports injuries. Before it is the concern of a coach or trainer, any return to regular activity should be not only cleared by a doctor but discussed by parents and the appropriate school employees.
Use Proper Safety Equipment
Wearing safety equipment has never been cool. Being cool also happens to appear last on the concerns of children who have suffered a head injury, or their parents for that matter. Therefore, it should not be a concern when preventing said injuries. Pick a helmet that offends the child’s sensibilities the least and insist that they wear it. If technology impresses them, check this out. It may not look much cooler but your kid will probably be the only one on the block that has one. Helmets are still the frontline when it comes to preventing TBI, whether kids are biking, skateboarding or hoverboarding (yes, it’s a thing!). Just be sure that the helmet fits snugly, is age appropriate and certified for use by an accredited organization.
Consult With an Attorney
One of our most important roles is backing up brain injury attorneys with our expert medical knowledge. So, we cannot recommend more strenuously that you should at least schedule a consultation with such an attorney following TBI, followed by an appointment with one of our experts. Before any medical expenses are incurred or personal injury claims pursued, these are the necessary steps.