A head injury from a car crash, motorcycle accident, or even a fall can change your life in ways you might not expect. One hidden problem is damage to your pituitary gland, a tiny part of your brain that controls important hormones. When it gets hurt, you might feel tired, moody, or even sick all the time. Murphy Trial Law in Bothell helps people who’ve been through head injuries get the money they deserve for problems like this. Pituitary gland damage is serious, but it’s often missed by doctors. Let’s explore how head injuries cause this damage, what it feels like, and how you can get help.
What Is the Pituitary Gland and Why Does It Matter?
The pituitary gland is a small, walnut-sized gland at the base of your brain, right above the brain stem. It’s called the “master gland” because it makes hormones that tell other parts of your body what to do. These hormones control things like growth, energy, and even how you handle stress. For example, it makes growth hormone (GH) to help kids grow and adults stay strong. It also makes antidiuretic hormone (ADH) to keep your body from getting dehydrated.
When a head injury happens, the pituitary gland can get hurt because it’s in a delicate spot. A hard hit to the head, like in a motorcycle crash, can shake or twist the gland, cutting off its blood supply. This can cause necrosis (cell death) or ischemia (lack of blood flow), which stops the gland from working right. About 18% of people with head injuries have problems with growth hormone, and 25% have issues with ADH, leading to a condition called diabetes insipidus. The good news? About 90% of these problems get better on their own within a year. But for some, the damage lasts longer and causes big health issues.
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How Does a Head Injury Cause Pituitary Gland Damage?
Head injuries, especially traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), can harm the pituitary gland in a few ways. When your head gets hit hard, your brain moves inside your skull. This can cause shearing forces that tear tiny blood vessels around the pituitary gland. Without enough blood, the gland can’t make hormones properly. In some cases, the pituitary stalk (a thin connection to the brain) gets stretched or torn, which is called stalk displacement or stalk amputation. This stops the gland from getting signals to work.
For example, in a motorcycle accident, your head might whip back and forth fast, like whiplash. This can put pressure on the gland or cause intracranial pressure (swelling in the brain), which squeezes its blood vessels. Even a milder hit, like a fall, can cause a coup-contrecoup injury, where the brain bounces against the skull, damaging the pituitary’s delicate structure. These injuries are common because motorcyclists are 28 times more likely to get hurt badly in a crash than people in cars, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
What Are the Symptoms of Pituitary Gland Damage?
Pituitary gland damage can make you feel awful, and the symptoms might not show up right away. Here’s what you might notice:
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Growth Hormone (GH) Deficiency: You feel super tired, sad, or anxious. You might lose interest in things you love, like hobbies or spending time with friends.
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Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH) Deficiency: This causes diabetes insipidus, where you’re always thirsty and need to pee a lot. It can lead to dehydration, which makes you weak.
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Adrenal Deficiency: You feel worn out all the time, even after resting. Your body might not handle stress well, and you could get dehydrated easily.
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Hypogonadism: For women, this means missing periods or losing body hair. For men, it can cause low sex drive, muscle loss, or even breast growth.
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Other Symptoms: You might have mood swings, chronic headaches, or trouble staying coordinated. Some people feel numb or have convulsions in bad cases.
These symptoms can look like other problems, like a regular TBI or even stress, which makes it hard for doctors to spot pituitary damage. That’s why it’s important to see a specialist if you feel off after a head injury.
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Why Is Pituitary Gland Damage Hard to Diagnose?
Finding pituitary gland damage isn’t easy. Regular brain scans, like an MRI, often miss it because the gland’s tiny blood vessels and cells don’t show up clearly. Doctors might think you have a TBI or nothing at all, even if you’re feeling terrible. The best way to catch it is through blood screening, which checks your hormone levels. For example, low growth hormone or ADH levels can point to pituitary damage. But many doctors don’t do these tests right away, especially if they’re focused on bigger brain injuries.
This misdiagnosis can be a big problem. You might be told you’re exaggerating or that your symptoms are “all in your head.” In fact, pituitary damage is a common but little-known effect of head injuries, affecting up to 27.5% of TBI patients, according to medical studies. If you’ve been in an accident and feel tired, moody, or sick, tell your doctor to check your hormones. A lawyer can also help you get the right tests by working with medical experts.
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How Long Does a Claim for Pituitary Gland Damage Take?
If your pituitary gland was damaged because of someone else’s mistake, like a careless driver, you might be able to file a personal injury claim. These claims usually take 6 months to a year to settle, but cases with pituitary damage can take longer. Why? It’s hard to prove the damage, and you need detailed medical records, like blood tests, to show how it’s affecting you. If the other side argues about who caused the accident, you’ll need extra evidence, like police reports or witness statements, which slows things down.
Most claims settle without going to court, but if you have to file a lawsuit, it could take 1–2 years or more. Insurance companies might offer a low amount at first, hoping you’ll take it. A lawyer from Murphy Trial Law can push for a fair deal that covers your medical bills, lost wages, and pain. In Washington, you have three years from the date of the accident to file a claim, according to Revised Code of Washington (RCW) 4.16.080. Don’t wait too long, or you could lose your chance.
Why You Need a Lawyer for Pituitary Gland Damage
Going through a claim for pituitary gland damage is tough. Insurance companies might say your symptoms aren’t real or blame you for the accident. A lawyer makes sure you’re treated fairly. At Murphy Trial Law, we’ve helped people in Bothell and Everett for over 10 years, and we know how to handle complicated cases like this. We work with doctors to get the right tests and build a strong case to prove your injury.
We also make sure you don’t settle too soon. For example, if you need hormone treatments for years, we’ll wait until we know all your costs before agreeing to a deal. Plus, we work on a contingency fee basis, so you don’t pay us unless we win. It’s a no-risk way to get the help you need.
Common Questions About Pituitary Gland Damage Claims
Here are some questions we hear a lot:
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How do I know if I have pituitary gland damage? Look for symptoms like extreme tiredness, mood swings, or constant thirst. Ask your doctor for a blood test to check hormone levels.
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What can I get money for? You can get money for medical bills, lost wages, pain, and emotional stress. The average settlement for serious brain injuries is around $66,000, but it depends on your case.
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What if I wasn’t wearing a helmet? Washington’s helmet law (RCW 46.37.530) requires helmets for motorcyclists, but not wearing one doesn’t stop you from filing a claim. It might affect your settlement, so talk to a lawyer.
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What if the other person doesn’t have insurance? You might use your own insurance or file a lawsuit against them. We can help figure out your options.
Call Murphy Trial Law Today
If a head injury has left you feeling tired, sick, or not like yourself, you might have pituitary gland damage. Don’t let insurance companies or missed diagnoses stop you from getting help. At Murphy Trial Law, we serve Bothell and Everett, Washington, and we’re ready to fight for you. Our experienced car accident lawyers offer free consultations, so you can ask questions without paying anything. We only get paid if you win, so there’s no risk.
Call us today at (425) 835-2614 to talk about your case. Let us help you get the money you need to feel better and move forward.
Call or text (425) 835-2614 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form