Video: You Can Have a “Normal” CT Scan and Still Have a Life-Altering Brain Injury
February 26, 2026
Transcript
Did you know that you can have a normal CT scan and still suffer a life-altering brain injury?
You can look fine on the outside and still struggle to:
- Read a single page
- Drive in traffic
- Make it through a workday
- Function without headaches, dizziness, or mental fatigue
That is the reality of traumatic brain injuries.
I’m Attorney Tracy Paulsen with Rightful Legal, and we represent individuals and families across Massachusetts who are navigating the medical, legal, and practical consequences of traumatic brain injuries.
What Is a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)?
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a disruption in brain function caused by an external force.
That force may come from:
- A car crash or rear-end collision
- A fall on unsafe property
- A workplace accident
- A defective product
- Or other preventable incidents
Not all brain injuries involve skull fractures or visible bleeding on imaging.
Why Imaging Can Miss Concussions
Many concussions and mild TBIs do not appear on standard CT or MRI scans.
But that does not make them minor.
What matters most is function, including:
- Are you thinking clearly?
- Are you sleeping normally?
- Can you tolerate noise, light, and stress like you could before?
- Can you perform your job at the same level as before the injury?
A normal scan does not equal a normal brain.
Common TBI Symptoms
Common symptoms of traumatic brain injury include:
- Persistent headaches
- Memory and concentration problems
- Dizziness
- Balance issues
- Sleep disruption
- Irritability
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Overwhelming fatigue
Symptoms may not fully appear until hours or even days after an accident.
Adrenaline can mask early warning signs. Many people only recognize the severity once they attempt to return to work or school and realize something is not right.
Massachusetts Legal Considerations
In Massachusetts, TBI claims commonly arise from:
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Slip and fall accidents
- Workplace injuries
- Premises liability cases
These cases can become legally complex quickly.
Massachusetts has a three-year statute of limitations for most personal injury claims.
Car accident cases also involve:
- No-fault insurance rules
- What is known as the auto tort threshold
The timing of treatment, documentation, symptom reporting, and evidence preservation can significantly affect the strength of your claim.
Why Insurance Companies Dispute TBI Claims
Brain injury cases are frequently disputed.
Insurance companies may argue:
- Symptoms are unrelated
- Symptoms are exaggerated
- Symptoms were caused by prior conditions
- Normal imaging means full recovery
- A brief return to work proves you are fine
But the law does not require a brain injury to appear on a basic scan in order to be compensable.
It does require proof.
What Proof Is Required?
Strong TBI claims often include:
- Emergency room records
- Primary care documentation
- Neurology evaluations
- Concussion clinic notes
- Therapy records
- Consistent symptom reporting over time
They may also include real-world evidence such as:
- Missed work
- Reduced job performance
- Academic accommodations
- Testimony from family, coworkers, or teachers about noticeable changes
A traumatic brain injury can affect:
- Your income
- Your relationships
- Your independence
- Your identity
Even so-called “mild” TBIs can become long-term conditions when symptoms persist beyond the expected recovery period.
Why Early Medical Documentation Matters
If you suspect a brain injury after a crash or fall:
- Seek medical evaluation as soon as possible
- Follow through with recommended care
- Be honest and consistent about your symptoms
- Understand that early documentation matters
Waiting can make both medical recovery and legal protection more difficult.
Protecting Your Rights in Massachusetts
If you are researching traumatic brain injuries in Massachusetts, know this:
These cases require careful, fact-based preparation and a clear medical narrative.
They are not about exaggeration.
They are about accuracy.
Brain injuries are complex — and they deserve to be taken seriously.


