Brain Injury Lawyer Philadelphia
Traumatic brain injury, otherwise known as TBI, usually results from trauma to the head. This usually occurs because the brain resides in a limited space and is normally immovable. As a result of anything traumatic that displaces or moves the brain, can cause serious harm to the brain tissue, or a “brain injury.” Brain injury can be stand-alone or be associated with spinal discogenic or nerve damage. Brain injury can be neurological, like concussions, contusions, or widespread catastrophic injury, or gross intracranial, such as a brain bleed or bruise that can increase in size.
An adult human brain weighs approximately 3 lbs. Despite the small size of this organ, the brain is irreplaceable not only due to its vital role of controlling all of the body’s major functions, but also in being the seat of thought and emotion in a person. In a sense, you are your brain, more than any other body part. Consequently, brain injuries are among the most devastating kinds of trauma a person can suffer. Often we take our brains for granted, not realizing that even the slightest of injuries inflicted onto it can cause irreversible damage in just a blink of an eye. When an accident leading to a brain injury is caused by the negligence of another party, whether intentional or unintentional, the victim or victim’s loved ones may be able to receive compensations for this injury. The compensation recovered may not only cover the costly medical bills associated with the accident, but also the non-economic ramifications, including mental anguish and pain.
A concussion is a brain injury which results from physical force on the brain’s nerve cells, destroying or damaging their function. Concussive brain injury can be present even though there is no physical evidence of any actual trauma anywhere else. It is usually accompanied by a loss of consciousness and being unable to recall anything that happened immediately before and after the event causing the concussion. However, if the concussion lasts more than 15 minutes, then it is statistically likely that the brain injury is a diffuse axonal injury (“DAI”). A cerebral contusion brain injury is essentially visible damage to the brain, which may occur at the site of the head trauma, known as “coup,” or on the opposite side of the brain, known as “counter-coup.” Injuries revolving laceration (tearing) of the brain are usually associated with depressed skull fractures or penetrating wounds.
Hematoma (bruising) brain injuries occur when blood collects outside the vessels in which blood normally circulates. Hematomas can be epidural, subdural, and intracerebral. An epidural hematoma develops beneath the skull and above the dura, the tough outermost membrane surrounding the brain and spinal cord. A subdural hematoma is probably the most common serious brain injury. Typically, subdural hematoma occurs on one side of the brain above the cerebellum. Intracerebral hematomas are cerebral hemorrhages which are more than 5 millimeters in diameter, and are produced by the same trauma that produces contusions. Intracerebral hematomas usually occur after skull fractures.
Philadelphia Brain Injury Lawyer
Brain injury is usually diagnosed by patient’s history, physical, and neurological examinations, and psychological and diagnostic testing. Diagnostic testing can include x-rays, cerebral angiography, isotope testing, CT scans, MRI, and positive emission tomography. Where TBI is suspected monitoring for hours is important. Where possible stroke is suspected, the monitoring can take days.
Brain injury is treated both surgically and non-surgically. Treatment options are not always dispositive. Long-term complications of traumatic brain injury can include organic brain syndromes, amnesia, aphasia, and even epilepsy.
A closed head brain injury is caused by the trauma or impact to the head. This can include a Car Accident where the head comes into contact with a part of the automobile or through violent acceleration/deceleration. Other causes include a trip or slip and fall, where the head makes contact with the ground or some other hard object. An assault or an inadvertent strike to the head, with a fist or a hard object, can also result in traumatic brain injury.
If you or your loved ones have suffered a traumatic brain injury as a result of carelessness or negligence of another person or company, contact the Philadelphia Personal Injury Lawyer at The Law Offices of Greg Prosmushkin, P.C. for a free consultation.
This content was written on behalf of Greg Prosmushkin.