Posttraumatic Epilepsy and Head Injuries

One of the common delayed sequela or side effects of having a head injury is epilepsy. Post-traumatic epilepsy occurs in at least half of people who have sustained a compound skull fracture and wound of the brain (a penetrating brain injury), whereas it occurs in only approximately 5% of people with a closed head injury.

If you have suffered a brain injury, then it is important to receive medical treatment as soon as possible. If your brain injury is the result of an accident or somebody else’s fault, eg a road accident, fall at work or blow to the head, then you may be able to get compensation.

Just fill out the Contact Form and one of our Brain Injury Attorneys will contact you to advise you of your rights.

Head Injury and Epilepsy

The more severe the head injury, the greater the chance of developing a seizure disorder such as epilepsy. This may occur when trauma to the brain results in a contusion or laceration of the cortex, or subdural hematoma.

Did you know that the seizures may occur months and sometimes years after the accident? Only some head injury victims actually have their first seizure within minutes of the head injury (this is called immediate epilepsy). Where there has been concussion, a seizure may follow which involves extension of the limbs with slight shaking movements, followed by waking up in a confused state.  If you have a seizure within the first week of the accident, then this is known as early epilepsy. If however you develop seizures weeks or months after the head injury, then this is called posttraumatic epilepsy or late epilepsy.

Symptoms of a Seizure

During a seizure there may be loss of consciousness, confusion, a feeling of electric shock, loss of vision, altered hearing and smell. Physically there may be convulsions (violent shaking of arms and legs, head and neck), drooling, difficulty with speech, eyeballs rolling upwards, shaking, stiffening of the body, tremors and twitching.

After the seizure, you may feel confused, depressed, sad, and fearful, exhausted and nausea.

Treatment for Seizures

Depending on the severity of your condition, your physician may subscribe special medication to control the seizures. These drugs are called anticonvulsants. In extreme cases, brain surgery may be needed to excise or remove the epileptic focus.

Effects of Epilepsy

Epilepsy (having multiple seizures) can affect day to day living, including your performance at school and at work. If you have been diagnosed with a posttraumatic seizure disorder, then you should seek legal advice because you may be entitled to head injury compensation.

Our lawyers are experienced in all types of accident claims- accidents on the road, pedestrian accidents, injuries from falls at work, injuries from blows to the head and neck.

Contact us to find out more.

Time limits apply in making head injury compensation claims, that is why you should contact an attorney who specializes in brain injuries as soon as possible if you suspect that you have ongoing disabilities and injuries that are the result of an accident or somebody else’s negligence.