Learn more about the types of brain injuries and how you can get the money you deserve for your accident.
Every day, Americans engage in all sorts of risky behavior that can lead to brain injuries. From jumping on trampolines to riding bikes to getting behind the wheel of a car, the potential for a brain injury is almost always there — which is why it is important to understand what exactly a brain injury is.
The term “brain injury” sounds incredibly scary — and without a doubt, getting a brain injury diagnosis is terrifying. However, there are many different types of brain injuries, each with its own level of severity and potential for recovery. If an accident has resulted in a brain injury through an accident, a skilled personal injury attorney will help you understand the type of brain injury that you have so that you know what level of compensation you should expect to help get your life back on track after an injury.
When it comes to traumatic brain injuries, or TBIs, there are three basic levels: mild, moderate, and severe. Mild TBIs involve either no loss of consciousness or a loss of consciousness for just a few seconds or minutes. A moderate TBI may involve loss of consciousness for up to a few hours and confusion that can last up to a few weeks. Complications can be permanent or last for several months. Severe TBIs are life-threatening, and often result from crushing blows or penetration to the skull and brain.
Concussions are a fairly common form of brain injuries that are considered to be minor. They result from an impact to the head or a sudden change in the head’s movement. They typically cannot be seen on an imaging test, like a MRI or a CAT scan, but they can take years to heal. Concussions are particularly dangerous if more than one is sustained, such as often the case with professional athletes.
In contrast, contusions are more serious types of brain injuries that can be seen on imaging. They are bruises on the brain that result from a direct impact to the head. Large contusions are treated through surgery.
Penetrating injuries occur when some type of object sends hair, skin or fragments of the skull into the brain, such as from a gunshot wound. Most brain injury deaths result from gunshot wounds.
Anoxic brain injuries occur when the brain is deprived of oxygen. If the brain does not have enough oxygen for four to five minutes, brain cells begin to die and a brain injury can occur. Causes of anoxic brain injury can include drowning, heart attack, choking, carbon monoxide poisoning, and respiratory arrest.
Knowing what type of brain injury a person has suffered is critical to obtaining the highest possible recovery. If a person has received a moderate TBI and required significant ongoing medical care and treatment, then an experienced personal injury lawyer will need to advocate for the person to receive a higher settlement or award to ensure that he or she gets the money to cover these expenses and live a fulfilling life over the long-term. A failure to take into account the type of brain injury will result in an inadequate settlement or award and leave the victim of a brain injury without enough money to survive.
At the Law Offices of Larry H. Parker, our attorneys are dedicated to helping victims of all types of accidents recover for their losses. Contact us today at 800-333-0000 or info@larryhparker.com to schedule a free initial consultation with one of our skilled personal injury lawyers. We never charge a fee unless we recover money for you!
