3 Common Types Of Traumatic Brain Injury In Personal Injury Cases
In very severe personal injury cases, an accident attorney may discover that the victim is suffering from a traumatic brain injury. But just as there are different types of bone breaks and internal injuries, there are different types of brain injuries and the type of brain injury can have a dramatic effect on the outcome of your personal injury case.
The Brain And Injury
The brain is a complicated organ which makes brain injuries so difficult to treat and recover from. Depending on the type of injury and what part of the brain is injured the injury may affect thinking, emotions, or physical abilities – or even a combination of all of the above. The upper part of the brain controls our memories, thoughts, personalities, and cognitive abilities. The lower part controls bodily functions; particularly those functions we take for granted by not having to even think about for them to occur: breathing, body temperature, immune response, reflexes, heartbeats, etc.
A traumatic brain injury can happen anytime the head is jolted or hit, such as in a car accident or a fight. Traumatic brain injuries can also happen when something penetrates the brain like a bullet or a broken piece of the skull. This might bruise the brain, tear tissue, create bleeding on the brain, or physically damage the brain.
Traumatic brain injuries can be temporary with symptoms fading over time, but they can also be more severe and long-lasting, even lifelong in some cases, and in very serious cases, they can lead to death.
3 Severe Types Of Traumatic Brain Injury
- Brain Death. Brain death refers to a lack of brain activity in both the upper and lower parts of the brain. If a person is declared brain dead it means that they aren’t showing any evidence of higher cognitive functions, like thought or memory, AND the brain isn’t regulating the body systems. Although modern medicine has made it possible for some people to have their bodily systems maintained through machines, there has never been a situation where someone has recovered from brain death.
- Persistent Vegetative State. A persistent vegetative state (PVS) is declared when the lower brain is still functioning, but the upper brain has lost some or all of its function. The body still operates on its own, but the person has little to no cognitive capability. Recovery from PVS is exceedingly rare and even if it does happen, a full recovery is next to impossible.
- Coma. A coma is a comparatively common brain injury. Comas can occur naturally, after an accident or injury. The patient’s doctor may decide to put him or her into a medically induced coma to allow the brain to heal. When a person is in a coma they appear to just be sleeping. Both parts of the brain are still active, but the person remains unconscious. Recovery from a coma is very common with most people recovering with no ill effects, but it is possible for a coma to lead to either a persistent vegetative state or brain death.
Consult An Eisenberg Law Accident Attorney After A Brain Injury
Anytime you or a loved one are injured as a result of someone else’s actions or negligence, you may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit and secure compensation to help you pay for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
This type of financial security can help make recovery easier by removing financial worries from your mind. Depending on the type of brain injury and the outlook for the patient’s future, this compensation can be extremely helpful for you or your family, allowing you to move forward with your life. Case outcomes and financial awards depend on many different factors.
Contact an accident attorney at Eisenberg Law Offices to discuss your situation and find out whether or not you have a case and, if so, what kind of damages you may be awarded. Arrange your free case consultation with a Madison WI accident attorney today by calling 608-200-3698 or emailing Info@EisenbergLaw.org.