- June 28, 2018
Traumatic brain injuries aren’t just common, they can also lead to devastating, if not deadly, problems. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 30% of all injury-related deaths are caused by traumatic brain injuries, which means that roughly 153 people die in the U.S. each day due to traumatic brain injuries. Any type of trauma to the head can result in a brain injury, which is why these types of injuries are so common and widespread.To get a firmer understanding of what these injuries encompass, our firm explains some of the most common types of traumatic brain injuries, how they’re caused, and what damage they can lead to.
Concussion
A concussion is one of the most common types of traumatic brain injuries, and most people have a vague understanding of what it is and what symptoms it causes. Usually, concussions are caused by a sudden impact to the head, jolting the brain. In cases of minor concussions, the injured party may go on with their life after a few hours. However, in serious cases, the injured person may suffer lasting damage, including memory loss, changes in behavior, loss of brain function, and more.
Brain Contusion
Much like a concussion, a brain contusion is usually caused by a blow to the head, but can result in a slightly different kind of damage. Someone with a brain contusion has essentially bruised their brain, which means there is bleeding underneath the skin. Depending on the extent of the damage, the issue may require surgical intervention.
Coup-Contrecoup
A coup-contrecoup is a type of brain contusion injury that occurs on both the side of impact and the opposite side. Essentially, the brain must have been jostled enough to be injured on both sides, causing two severe contusions. Usually, the damage from coup-contrecoup injuries is extensive.
Diffuse Axonal Injury
Diffuse axonal injuries often occur in shaken baby syndrome, but can also happen in older children and adults when the head is rotated too strongly, resulting in damage to the brain structures. If the brain skull moves faster than the brain, it can cause the brain structures and tissues to tear, releasing brain chemicals, disrupting various natural processes, and impairing essential functions.
Shaken Baby Syndrome
When a baby is shaken, their brain can be jostled inside the skull, resulting in diffuse axonal injuries and more. While similar, the injuries caused by shaken baby syndrome are usually more extensive and widespread than diffuse axonal injuries. Not only can it cause tissue damage, it might also result in strokes, brain hemorrhages, broken blood vessels, brain stem damage, and even death.
Penetration Injury
A brain penetration injury is exactly what it sounds like. If an object pierces the skull and brain, such as a bullet or a weapon, the injured person can suffer extensive damage. These injuries often cause severe bleeding and can lead to blood clots and other direct damage to the brain tissues. In most cases, these injuries require operations to repair the damage. Even though these injuries are often caused by acts of violence or assault, they could also occur in freak accidents or car crashes.
If you or someone you love suffered a traumatic brain injury because of another person’s errors or negligence, make sure you know your legal options. When someone else’s actions cause you serious harm, you have a right to take legal action against the guilty party in order to seek justice and obtain compensation for the damage caused.
Contact Goodman Acker P.C. today to get discuss your case with our Detroit personal injury attorneys.