If you’ve ever dealt with a head injury then you may or may not realize that your doctors won’t necessarily automatically take every possible action they could. In some cases it’s because they’re not up to date on the latest research and in other cases it’s because your insurance company won’t cover it – or because you don’t have insurance coverage at all.
This is why it’s essential that you research your own injuries and that you work with a personal injury attorney who will take every step necessary to secure you the compensation you’re deserved. Lack of finances should never be a reason for not getting the medical treatment you need but it’s unfortunately all too common. The money you get in your personal injury suit could help you move forward and finally get the treatment that can help.
New research shows just how effective MRIs are
In the past, doctors would likely perform either a CT scan or an MRI after a car accident involving a head injury. In fact, more doctors chose a CT, because it’s considered less invasive – and sometimes because it’s more affordable. There hasn’t always been a wealth of information on which option was better but thanks to a study by the University of California San Francisco, it’s now clear that there is one test that’s better than the others: The MRI.
More about the study on traumatic brain injuries
The study involved 135 people who had symptoms of a brain injury. Initially, they were given a CT scan that looked for brain bleeds. Seven days later, they had an MRI. The researchers found that more than 25% of the people they studied who had initially had normal CT scans ended up having focal lesions that were only found on the MRI. This is a statistically significant number of people and shows that just because a person gets an initially normal CT scan doesn’t mean they are out of the woods.
The importance of knowing about traumatic brain injuries
The MRI test is not likely to be necessary for someone with a serious traumatic brain injury because the signs are more significant but a person with a mild traumatic brain injury can have their life saved if their doctor is able to get a better idea of what they’re dealing with.
How? Because if a doctor knows that their patient is at risk for permanent injury, they can keep an eye on them. Note that about one in every six people who have a mild brain injury end up with persistent systems, which can – and often do – lead to permanent damage.
Additionally, it’s important for your personal injury attorney to know if you’ve suffered a traumatic brain injury. If you have, then we can ensure the appropriate compensation for both past and future medical bills is recovered. This includes everything from long-term medications to rehabilitation. To learn more about your options, contact Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas at 909-982-0707 for your free case evaluation.
