What Is “Talk-And-Die” Syndrome?

In 2009, actress Natasha Richardson headed out for a beginner ski lesson on a small slope near Montreal. During the lesson, she took a fall, as many beginners do. Despite seeming fine immediately after the accident, Richardson began to complain of a headache about an hour later. Later that day, friends and family gathered to say their goodbyes. Richardson suffered a fatal brain injury called epidural hematoma, commonly known as talk and die syndrome. ^[1]

Immediately after the fall, Richardson appeared fine. Her fall was minor, and she did not show outward signs of injury. However, Richardson suffered a very serious injury that produced internal bleeding. Internal bleeding in the brain caused pressure on the brain, and oxygen deprivation in a manner that proved to be fatal. Richardson’s death left the medical community stunned. How could such a seemingly minor fall cause fatal traumatic brain injuries? Our experienced personal injury lawyers explain talk and die syndrome and how it may affect your claim for recovery.

Talk and Die Syndrome

Talk and die syndrome is a form of bleeding in the brain that does not cause immediately noticeable symptoms of distress. Even though talk and die syndrome is an often fatal and severe medical condition, a victim can deteriorate without noticeable symptoms until it’s too late. When you have any kind of traumatic brain injury, it’s essential to seek medical attention right away to rule out talk and die syndrome. Although talk and die syndrome is rare, when it occurs, it is often fatal, and immediate medical attention is required in all cases.

What Is the Talk and Die Syndrome?

The talk and die syndrome is a potentially fatal brain injury that can cause death without noticeable warning signs and symptoms. Talk and die syndrome occurs when a closed-head traumatic brain injury causes an epidural hematoma or bleeding in the brain. The blood pools in the brain both depriving the brain of oxygen and putting pressure on the brain in a way that is not sustainable. Talk and die syndrome is often fatal and may be present despite a lack of noticeable symptoms until death occurs.

How Common Is Talk and Die?

Talk and die accounts for approximately 2.6 percent of fatal traumatic brain injuries. According to the National Institutes of Health, ^[2] an analysis of medical records for fatal head trauma patients revealed the existence of talk and die syndrome in 15 out of 569 cases. Although uncommon, talk and die is a very serious medical condition, and it is often fatal when it occurs.

Do I Have Talk and Die Syndrome?

It’s impossible to know if you have talk and die syndrome without seeking immediate medical care. In fact, if there’s even a slight chance that you have talk and die syndrome, it’s imperative to seek medical attention immediately.

Talk and die syndrome is a very critical and life-threatening medical condition that, by its nature, can appear without warning. If you have a brain injury, even a seemingly minor injury, you cannot know if you have talk and die syndrome without seeking immediate emergency medical care.

Talk and Die Syndrome Cause

The talk and die syndrome cause is blood pooling between the dural membrane and the skull. When there is trauma to the brain, bleeding can occur internally. Without external trauma, the victim may appear fine, as though they do not have any brain injury at all.

However, internally, blood may be pooling between the skull and the brain. Eventually, this combination becomes fatal if left untreated. The time it takes for an epidural hematoma to become fatal can be measured in only a matter of minutes.

The Importance of Medical Care After a Brain Trauma

Talk and die syndrome is one of the many reasons that it’s essential to seek medical attention after any kind of head injury. Even if you don’t think you’re seriously hurt, getting emergency medical attention can save your life. It isn’t just a matter of documenting injuries to bring a lawsuit; in the case of brain trauma, emergency medical attention may be a lifesaving measure. Don’t underestimate the importance of professional medical care after any kind of brain trauma.

Legal Issues and Talk and Die Syndrome

From a legal point of view, there are several potential issues for accident victims involving talk and die syndrome. The first is what happens when physical symptoms do not appear right away. In a legal claim, the victim may have the added challenge of proving that the injuries are a result of the accident. Of course, in the case of talk and die, symptoms almost always have a delayed onset. You may need to work with medical experts to prove the causal connection to the satisfaction of the jury. It may be important to explain why you waited to seek medical treatment. You may need an expert to help the jury understand the link between the accident and the injuries that occurred.

In addition, you may need expert help to prove how a seemingly minor accident resulted in such serious injury. Under the law, you have the right to compensation for your injuries, whatever they may be. If you suffer very serious injuries from a low-speed collision, it is your legal right to recover the full amount of your damages. No rule limits legal liability based on the severity of the accident or whether the negligent person is only a little bit negligent or a lot negligent. Rather, the victim has a right to full recovery. Working with the right legal team and qualified medical experts can help you gather the evidence and form the arguments that you need to win a complete recovery for your damages.

Injury Attorneys for Talk and Die Syndrome

If you or a loved one has suffered from talk and die syndrome, contact our legal team. The attorneys at Bachus & Schanker, LLC, can help you with any personal injury matter, including matters with complex medical issues. Our team works with a network of experts to build a strong case for your recovery. We know what the jury wants to see to value your case and link your injuries to your damages.

There’s never a cost to speak with a member of our team about your case. We’re standing by to help you. Call us today.

Sources

[1] Borrell, B. (18 March 2009). What is “talk and die” syndrome? Scientific American. Retrieved 7 November 2019 from https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/talk-and-die-richardson/

[2] Goldschlager, T., Rosenfeld, J.V., & Winter, C.D. (2007). ‘Talk and die’ patients presenting to a major trauma centre over a 10 year period: a critical review. Journal of clinical neuroscience : official journal of the Neurosurgical Society of Australasia, 14(7), 618-23; discussion 624.