Life without a ‘tricorder’: brain-injury detection difficulties

Tuesday March 4, 2014

On the original Star Trek series, Dr. McCoy had merely to briefly scan someone with a “tricorder” to determine the extent of an injury.

Unfortunately, that aspect of Star Trek remains science fiction. In our culture, it remains difficult to determine how severe a head injury might be.

That is why, if you have been injured in a car accident or some other personal injury setting, you should not make quick decisions about settling your case with an insurance adjuster. You need to know how badly you have been injured before making decisions like that – and it simply isn’t possible to know that right away.

So what types of tests are available to determine the severity of a brain injury?

As we noted in our article on traumatic brain injuries, the traditional methods of testing for brain injuries have involved CT and MRI scans. These tests scan for damage such as blood pooling and bruising in the brain.

Keep in mind, however, that these traditional scans do not necessarily detect all forms of TBI. For example, brain damage that occurs at the cellular level may not show up in CT scans or MRI tests.

There is a newer test called a positron emission topography (PET) test that researchers are experimenting with. This test is intended to get a better sense of what is going on within the brain at the cellular level.

Our point is that there are no easy answers when it comes to determining the extent of a brain injury. There is no Dr. McCoy to provide the answer with one wave of a tricorder.

People who have suffered such injuries should therefore make sure the injuries are thoroughly checked out and treated to the extent possible and get appropriate legal representation when pursuing injury claims.

Source: 

Get in Touch

Schedule a Free Initial Consultation

At Kennedy, Johnson, Schwab & Roberge, L.L.C., we handle all cases on a contingency fee basis. This means that we do not get paid unless and until you receive a settlement or a jury award.

Schedule a free, confidential consultation with a skilled Connecticut personal injury lawyer today.

News & insights
4 Steps to Take After a Medical Misdiagnosis
Articles

4 Steps to Take After a Medical Misdiagnosis

15

November
2023

News

KJSR Recognized in 2024 edition of Best Law Firms in America®

2

November
2023

Will a Hit-and-Run Claim Raise My Insurance?
Articles

Will a Hit-and-Run Claim Raise My Insurance?

12

October
2023

Surgical Stapler Injuries: Can You File a Lawsuit?
Articles

Surgical Stapler Injuries: Can You File a Lawsuit?

9

October
2023

Everything You Need to Know Before Filing a Pharmaceutical Lawsuit
Insights

Everything You Need to Know Before Filing a Pharmaceutical Lawsuit

21

September
2023

What Happens if the At-Fault Driver Is Deceased After the Accident?
Articles

What Happens if the At-Fault Driver Is Deceased After the Accident?

18

September
2023

What To Do After a Road Construction Accident
Articles

What To Do After a Road Construction Accident

12

September
2023

KJSR Attorney Stephanie Roberge Recognized as “Lawyer of the Year”: 2024
Insights

KJSR Attorney Stephanie Roberge Recognized as “Lawyer of the Year”: 2024

12

September
2023

KJSR Attorney John Kennedy Jr. Recognized as “Lawyer of the Year”: 2024
News

KJSR Attorney John Kennedy Jr. Recognized as “Lawyer of the Year”: 2024

8

September
2023

News

Six KJSR Lawyers Recognized as Best Lawyers® Award Recipients: 2024

21

August
2023