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!
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