Sustaining a brain injury can have a traumatic impact on a person’s life and health. Survivors may have to deal with mental and physical injuries, along with thousands of dollars in medical bills. For most, they are going to need long-term care, and will need funds in order to take care of themselves in the best way possible. Here are just a few of the many examples of brain injuries that can result because of an accident:
Concussion
Concussions happen from sudden jolts that cause the head and brain to move back and forth. The brain may have bounced within the skull, resulting in brain cell damage and chemical changes. Concussions are usually described as more of a “mild” brain injury, because they are often not life-threatening, but the impacts can be serious and lasting.
Diffuse Axonal Injury
The pulling and tearing of nerve cells in the brain is referred to as a diffuse axonal injury. Axons connect nerve cells through the brain, and can get damaged if the brain suddenly moves forward and back within the skull. This type of injury interrupts the brain’s transmitting mechanism, inducing bouts of abnormal sleepiness.
Contusion
A contusion is brain bruising that was caused from an impact to the head. Contusions are categorized as contrecoup or coup injuries. The former is when a bruise forms on the opposite side from impact, and the latter is when bruising develops directly at the site of impact.
When a brain injury is caused due to a car accident, slip and fall, assault, or other personal injury event, it is important that victims know their options in pursuing compensation. When another person or entity played a role in the brain injury accident, it is understandable that the victim yearns for justice and monetary restitution.