Neuropsychological Testing
Many people suffer head injuries in auto accidents in PA and NJ. Head injuries are often caused by the head colliding with a hard object such as the windshield, side window, or the dashboard. Motorcycle accidents and slip & fall accidents also cause numerous head injuries. Neuropsychological testing is used to help diagnose the seriousness of head injuries and traumatic brain injuries.
Why undergo neuropsychological testing? Is it worth the hassle?
Neuropsychological testing is often used in Pennsylvania and New Jersey personal injury cases to show the long-term mental effect of ahead injury. After a serious head injury, the ER doctors may take x-rays, CT scans, and/or MRIs of the skull and brain. Sometimes there is swelling or even bleeding of the brain. Other times nothing is seen on these objective medical tests, but the injured person has badheadaches, dizziness, loss of concentration and loss of focus.
After the head injuries are given a chance to settle down, there are no additional medical procedures or tests to show physical injuries of the head or brain. This is when neuropsychological testing is done on the injured person to determine the damage to the brain that cannot be shown on medical testing. Neuropsychological tests are thinking, cognitive, and other mental tests administered in a clinical center. Neuropsychological tests have been developed by neurologists, psychologists, and other doctors and scientists to measure the long-term damage to the brain.
Neuropsychological testing is often done in multiple sessions to measure the improvement or worsening of the head injury. A neuropsychologist then scores the tests and prepares a report on the test results. The neuropsychologist may then recommend treatment and therapy for the injured patient.
Neuropsychologists are often called to court to discuss their medical and mental findings after the neuropsychological tests. It takes an experienced Bucks County, Mercer County or Philadelphia personal injury lawyer to understand the results of neuropsychological testing and be able to adequately present them to an auto insurance company and eventually to a jury.
If you have suffered a head injury due to someone else’s carelessness or recklessness, learn more about your injuries by having a consultation with us. We have experience with PA & NJ personal injury victims with head injuries involving neuropsychological testing.
