What does the phrase “mild” traumatic brain injury refer to?
This phrase in many respects is a misnomer. There is nothing “mild” about a traumatic brain injury as even a brain injury which does not result in any loss of consciousness can have serious impact on a person’s day-to-day functioning. However, generally, where the person sustains no loss of consciousness or a very brief period of alteration of consciousness, the brain injury is referred to as “mild.” However, the degree or presence of loss of consciousness does not necessarily have a direct correlation with the sequeli resulting from the brain injury. Certain individuals, either as a result of the nature of the injury to the brain or genetic makeup or predisposing physical, cognitive and emotional reasons, may sustain devastating impairments which interfere with the person’s ability to function from even a “minor” traumatic brain injury. The degree of brain injury refers only to the acute phase and the length and presence of any loss of consciousness, and not to the long-term impact th
