A child may have a brain injury after an accident even if there is no visible wound, loss of consciousness, or immediate change in behavior. Symptoms can develop within minutes, but some may take hours or days to become noticeable.
If your child suffered an accident that could have affected the brain, the safest course is to have them medically evaluated. This includes accidents involving a blow or jolt to the head, a fall, a collision, or a near-drowning event. Afterward, watch closely for changes in your child’s physical condition and behavior, including changes in sleep, learning, or personality.
The CDC notes that concussion signs and symptoms do not always appear immediately and can be particularly difficult to recognize in young children who cannot clearly describe what they are feeling.
Warning signs of a brain injury in a child
Brain injury symptoms vary depending on the child’s age and the nature of the injury. Some affect how a child feels physically, while others may change how they think, behave, sleep, or perform at school. Possible signs include:
- Headache or persistent head pain
- Dizziness or problems with balance
- Nausea or vomiting
- Confusion or appearing dazed
- Difficulty concentrating
- Memory problems
- Unusual tiredness or changes in sleep
- Sensitivity to light or noise
- Blurred or double vision
- Irritability or personality changes
- Difficulty walking or coordinating movements
- Problems speaking
- Loss of interest in normal activities
- Changes in school performance
In babies and younger children, the signs may be harder to recognize. A child may cry persistently, become unusually irritable, or show changes in eating or nursing. Parents may also notice changes in sleep or a loss of previously acquired skills.
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke also identifies vomiting, balance problems, and reduced interest in favorite toys or activities among possible signs and symptoms of traumatic brain injury (TBI) in children.
These symptoms do not necessarily prove that a child has suffered a serious brain injury. They do, however, warrant appropriate medical attention.
When is a head injury an emergency?
Certain symptoms require immediate medical attention. The CDC recommends emergency evaluation after a blow or jolt to the head or body when a child develops danger signs after a head injury.
For example, seek emergency care if a child repeatedly vomits, has a seizure, or develops a headache that continues to worsen. Slurred speech, weakness, poor coordination, or increasing confusion can also indicate a serious problem.
Other danger signs include unusual behavior, difficulty waking up, or one pupil appearing larger than the other. In very young children, inconsolable crying or refusing to nurse or eat may also require urgent attention.
Call 911 if you believe your child may be experiencing a medical emergency. Prioritize your child’s immediate medical needs, and address any legal concerns afterward. A legal consultation should never replace medical treatment.
Can a child have a brain injury without losing consciousness?
Yes. Loss of consciousness can occur with a TBI, but it is not required for a concussion or other brain injury to exist.
A child who remains awake after an accident may still develop problems with attention, memory, balance, mood, sleep, or other neurological functions. That is one reason parents should not rely solely on how a child appears immediately after an accident.
Can brain injury symptoms appear later?
Yes. Some effects may become noticeable only after a child returns to school, sports, or more demanding activities. The CDC describes a concussion as an evolving injury and notes that some symptoms may take hours or days to appear.
Longer-term effects can also become clearer as a child develops. Unlike an adult, a child is still acquiring cognitive, behavioral, academic, and social skills. Research on the long-term consequences of pediatric TBI has found that some effects may become more apparent as children grow and are expected to develop new skills and abilities.
Parents may eventually notice problems such as:
- Difficulty learning new material
- Reduced attention or concentration
- Memory problems
- Trouble controlling emotions
- Behavioral changes
- Difficulty completing more complex schoolwork
- Problems interacting socially
- Reduced physical coordination
For this reason, follow-up care can remain important even when the initial injury appears relatively mild.
How do doctors determine whether a child has a brain injury?
There is no single test that identifies every brain injury. A healthcare professional will usually begin by considering how the accident happened and what symptoms have developed. The evaluation may also examine the child’s neurological function and assess areas such as memory, concentration, balance, and behavior.
Some children may undergo imaging or additional neurological testing. However, the CDC’s guidelines for pediatric mild TBI say clinicians should not routinely use CT or MRI to diagnose mild TBI in children; rather, they must assess risk factors when deciding whether imaging is appropriate.
More serious injuries may require care from several types of specialists. Depending on the child’s needs, this can include pediatric neurologists or neurosurgeons, rehabilitation physicians, neuropsychologists, and rehabilitation therapists.
What parents should document after an accident
If another person’s negligence may have contributed to the accident, documentation can be important both medically and legally. Parents should consider preserving:
- Medical records and discharge instructions
- Photographs of visible injuries
- Photographs or video of where the accident occurred
- Names and contact information for witnesses
- Accident or incident reports
- Communications from a school, daycare, sports program, property owner, or other organization
- Information about changes in the child’s behavior or symptoms
- School records showing changes in attendance or academic performance
- Receipts and records for medical care, therapy, travel, equipment, and other injury-related costs
A simple daily record of symptoms can also help parents explain changes to healthcare professionals. A dated record can also become evidence that helps prove a child brain injury case.
If litigation later becomes necessary, this documentation may also help a child brain injury lawyer evaluate how the injury occurred and whether another person or organization may bear responsibility.
What if someone else's negligence caused the brain injury?
An accident alone does not necessarily create a lawsuit. The core elements of a negligence claim include showing that another person or entity owed the child a duty of care, failed to meet that duty, and caused an injury as a result.
Depending on how the accident happened, potential claims can arise from circumstances involving:
- Negligent drivers and child traffic accidents
- Unsafe conditions at schools or daycares
- Inadequate supervision
- Unsafe playground conditions
- Dangerous property conditions
- Defective children’s products
- Sports-related negligence
- Pediatric medical negligence
- Swimming pool or near-drowning accidents
Parents who suspect another person’s actions contributed to the accident can learn more about when negligence may support a child brain injury claim.
Talk to a child brain injury lawyer
If your child suffered a possible brain injury because of another person’s negligence, getting appropriate medical care should come first. Once your child’s immediate medical needs are addressed, it can also be important to understand what caused the injury, preserve relevant evidence, and determine whether your child and family may have a legal claim.
The Killino Firm represents children and families affected by serious brain injuries. We can review how the accident occurred and explain the legal options that may be available to your family. We can also help identify the next steps if the circumstances support a potential claim.
Get your free, confidential case evaluation. Call 24/7 at 878-788-7718 or contact us online.
