Not All Traumatic Brain Injuries Are the Same

Every brain injury is different, and outcomes vary from person to person. This is largely because every person is different with their own unique genetics, demographics, and medical history. There are 14 different functional areas of the brain responsible for controlling different human functions, behavior, and emotions. Depending on location of the brain injury, a person may have different types of impairments.

The severity classification of traumatic brain injury (TBI) lies on a spectrum that falls into three general categories: (1) Mild; (2) Moderate; and (3) Severe. There is no uniform definition. TBI severity classification generally depends on duration of loss of consciousness, length of post-injury amnesia, Glasgow Coma Scale score, or presence of intracranial abnormality. Within each category there is a range. Loss of consciousness for the mild category is 0 to 30 minutes, the moderate category greater than 30 minutes up to 24 hours, and the severe category is greater than 24 hours.

The term 'Concussion' is generally used interchangeably with a mild TBI. However, some professional organizations consider a concussion to be a subset of mild TBI on the mildest end. There is still a range of mild traumatic brain injuries, which includes concussion, sports-related concussion, mild TBI, and complicated mild TBI. A complicated mild TBI is if all other indicators fall in the mild category but there is positive radiology imaging like a CT scan.

In 2025, a new TBI classification framework called CBI-M was announced and is starting trials in trauma centers. This proposed new model will use clinical, biomarker blood tests, imaging, and modifiers based on the patient's individual factors like existing medical conditions, environmental factors, and how the injury occurred.

The desire to move away from these simple labels recognizes that the current severity ratings are not necessarily an accurate reflection of the severity of the effects a brain injury has on a person’s functioning. Mild doesn’t mean the consequences are mild. Instead, a mild TBI can have very serious and debilitating life changing consequences that permanently interfere with work and enjoyment of life.

As the science surrounding TBI continues to evolve, understanding these complexities and changes are important for proper diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, and protecting the legal rights of brain injury victims. We are committed at Bike Brain Law to working with expert doctors in the field of TBI and staying knowledgeable about the latest brain injury science to protect our client’s rights.

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Attorney Dan D'Angelo offers free consultations for brain injury and cycling accident victims throughout Colorado.

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