What Should I Do After a Brain Injury?
When you think of brain injuries, you may believe the term is reserved
for extreme damage, but that is not the case. All brain injuries should
be considered serious because even the most “minor” ones can have
significant impact on long term memory, decision making functions,
sensory functions and impulse control.
There are a variety of brain injuries, each with their own complications
and symptoms. Here is a basic guide to common injuries:
• Closed Injury: This occurs when the head suddenly and violently hits
an object, but that object does not break through the skull.
• Open Injury: An open injury occurs when an object pierces the skull and enters the brain tissue.
• Anoxia: This is a condition in which there is an absence of oxygen
supply to the brain. This can occur even if there is an adequate blood
flow to the brain.
• Hypoxia: Like, anoxia, the brain experiences a decreased oxygen
supply, but there is still some oxygen flowing to the brain.
• Ischemia: An inadequate amount of blood supply is flowing to the
brain and begins causing swelling. As with hypoxia, this will cause an
ischemia cascade. At this time, brain cells can die within minutes.
Ischemia is often seen in near-drowning victims, heart attack patients
and people who experience severe blood loss from other injuries.
• Skull Fracture: This occurs when the skull bone cracks or breaks.
Victims can have one of two different kinds of skull fractures – either
depressed or penetrating. With a depressed fracture, pieces of the
broken skull will press into the brain tissue. Penetrating fractures
happen when something pierces the skull and leaves a distinct, localized
injury to the brain tissue. This is most commonly seen with a gunshot
wound.
• Concussion: This is one of the most common kinds of brain injuries.
It is caused by a sudden blow to the head or body which shakes the brain
inside the skull. The blow will temporarily prevent the brain from
responding normally.
• Brain Swelling: Also known as edema, brain swelling can happen in a
specific location or throughout the brain. All swelling causes
intracranial pressure (ICP) and prevents blood from flowing to the
brain, which in turn deprives the brain of oxygen.
No matter the type of injury, it is crucial to have a brain injury
evaluated by a physician. If left untreated, brain injuries can lead to
severe complications and even death.
After the injury is evaluated, your next step should be contacting a
dedicated personal injury attorney. Whether the injury was caused by an
automobile accident, on the playground or during a sporting event,
there is a small window of opportunity for you to recover damages.
Brain injury attorneys understand the complexities of your case and will
work closely with expert neuropsychologists, neurologists and
psychologists to evaluate your injury. Only a personal injury lawyer
has the understanding to maximize the amount of damages you will be able
to recover. Contact a personal injury attorney as soon as possible for
a free consultation on your case!