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Brain injuries can be among the most serious of all personal injuries, and they can at worst have long lasting and even life threatening effects.

To minimise the impact of a head injury it is very important to get medical help when you suffer an accident that may incur brain injury.

There are two main types of brain injury - traumatic, which describes sudden blows, jolts or wounds, and non traumatic brain injuries such as oxygen poisoning or carbon monoxide poisoning.

Brain injuries can be sustained in many different ways. You may have been in a car accident, or even a victim of assault. Then again, you may have suffered your injury at work if there was negligence on the part of your employer not providing you with safety equipment like a hard hat. If you fell working from a height that was not safe, or slipped on a spillage which had not been cleaned up or sign posted, then this is further negligence. In all of these circumstances you may be entitled to brain injury compensation.

Here are some symptoms to look out for if you suspect you have suffered a brain injury;

The most common symptoms of head injury are usually those which are the least serious, and these can include dizziness, tiredness, headache, fainting, or a bump or graze to the head which is visible. Minor concussion is likely, and you should rest and lie down for the duration of time you feel dizzy, and then immediately seek medical advice.

In some instances your injuries may be more visible and apparent, for example there may be bleeding from the nose, mouth or ears, or vomiting. Loss of consciousness is also possible in some cases. Keep in mind that the visible affects of your accident are not necessarily the most serious, it is internal bruising and bleeding of the brain that are far more serious, so don't panic if you have visible injuries as this does not necessarily mean you have internal injuries. Don't take aspirin even if you have a headache as it increases the risk of bleeding.

Internal injuries of the brain can manifest themselves in slow breathing or blood pressure, confusion or clumsiness, slurred speech or blurred vision, you could also possibly have difficulty in hearing, tasting or smelling. You may also suffer a stiff neck, or have difficulty in moving. In the worst case scenario you will be unconscious for a longer time frame and an ambulance may need to be called. Those around you should put you in the recovery position, and not try to wake you or clean any deep cuts.

In even the less serious cases, seek medical advice and make sure someone stays with you for 24 hours keeping an eye out for any worsening symptoms, as head injuries can initially have little impact but worsen over time. You are also well advised to refrain from driving or operating heavy machinery during this time in case concussion sets in.

Ben J White writes about specialist services for brain injury compensation, accident claim, head injury and brain injury solicitors.

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