Everything You Need To Know About Blunt Force Head Trauma

March 27, 2025 | Personal Injury

Everything You Need To Know About Blunt Force Head Trauma

Blunt-force trauma to the head can change everything in an instant. Your life is normal one minute, and the next, you’re dealing with pain, confusion, and potentially lifelong complications. Head injuries happen fast and often without warning. When the head takes a direct hit, the consequences depend on the force, the angle, and what part of the brain is affected.

What Happens To The Brain?

The skull protects the brain quite well, but that doesn’t mean the brain is invulnerable. It’s surrounded by cerebrospinal fluid to cushion it against small bumps, but sudden hard impacts can still shift the brain around inside the head. Even if the skull doesn’t fracture, the brain can be seriously damaged.

A mild blow might cause a concussion. A more forceful one could cause contusions, internal bleeding, or a diffuse axonal injury — one of the most serious forms of head trauma. It happens when the brain moves so violently that it tears nerve fibers and causes widespread damage.

Signs Of Head Trauma

Blunt-force head trauma doesn’t always look dramatic. Some people walk away from an accident thinking they’re fine, only to have problems days or even weeks later. The symptoms vary, but they often include:

  • Headaches that won’t go away
  • Dizziness
  • Balance problems
  • Memory loss
  • Confusion
  • Trouble speaking or understanding words
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Sensitivity to light or sound
  • Loss of consciousness (might only last a few seconds)

In severe cases, people might experience seizures, loss of coordination, or personality changes. Every one of these symptoms should be taken seriously, regardless of how minor they may seem.

The Potential For Long-Term Damage

Some people are able to recover quickly from head trauma. Unfortunately, others don’t. Modern science is still learning how the brain is wired, and head injuries can be unpredictable and tough to diagnose. Because of this, healing doesn’t look the same for everyone.

Post-concussion syndrome is one possible complication. Even after a seemingly mild head injury, some people deal with headaches, dizziness, and trouble concentrating for months. More serious trauma can lead to permanent cognitive problems, changes in personality, and an increased risk of experiencing anxiety or depression.

Multiple head injuries can cause even more problems. When someone suffers another head injury before the first one has a chance to heal, they could face second impact syndrome. The condition can cause fast swelling of the brain and other problems that could ultimately prove fatal.

If someone else’s negligence caused your injury, there’s a good chance you can take legal action to recover your financial losses. Hospital bills, lost paychecks, and long-term care costs add up fast, especially if permanent disability is involved and the victim can no longer work or live independently.

Liability depends on the circumstances. Insurance companies often look for ways to downplay the severity of the injury, and they frequently try to shift blame to avoid paying out on a claim. That’s why medical treatment and legal counsel are so critical for head trauma cases. 

Your lawyer can help you find expert testimony and other evidence that will ensure your claim is fairly evaluated by the insurance company.

Moving Forward After A Head Injury

Blunt-force trauma to the head is often more than just a medical issue. The emotional and financial toll can be just as stressful when the injury wasn’t your fault. If legal action becomes necessary, having the right attorney in your corner can make all the difference.

If you’ve been injured in a personal injury, please contact Marzzacco Niven & Associates at the nearest location to schedule a free consultation today:

Harrisburg Law Office
945 East Park Drive, Suite 103 Harrisburg, PA 17111
(717) 231-1640

York Law Office
2550 Kingston Road, Suite 210A York, PA 17401
(717) 995-8998

Wyomissing Law Office
833 N. Park Road, Suite 103, Room A Wyomissing, PA 19610
(717) 388-2325

Chambersburg Law Office
79 St. Paul Drive, Suite 1 Chambersburg, PA 17201
(717) 388-2378

Carlisle Law Office
354 Alexander Springs Road Carlisle, PA 17015
(717) 995-8732

Carbondale Law Office
30 Lincoln Avenue, Suite 101 Carbondale, PA 18407
(717) 995-8810

Lancaster Law Office
2173 Embassy Drive, Ste 123, Lancaster Pa 17603
(717) 616-2954

Lebanon Law Office
937 Willow Street, Suite D Lebanon, PA 17042-1140
(717) 995-8963