6 Types of Traumatic Brain Injuries

Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) can take a myriad of forms and can arise in a variety of ways. Whenever there is a possibility that the head has suffered a blow or jarring movement, it’s important to seek medical care, even if the symptoms appear to be minor or nonexistent. Brain injuries are often referred to as “invisible injuries” due to the unfortunate fact that unless there is outward bleeding, they can be hard to detect, even in emergency rooms. If you recognize changes in behavior, mood, cognitive ability, or other worrying symptoms in yourself or someone else following a potential head injury, seek medical care as soon as possible to be assessed for an existing TBI and to begin the journey toward recovery.

6 types of traumatic brain injuries include:

1. Contusion: This type of brain injury typically occurs as a result of bleeding on the brain sustained by a direct impact to the head. Contusions are not uncommon in car accidents, sports injuries, and more.
2. Coup-contrecoup: This type of brain injury occurs when the head is hit with such force that there is a contusion at the site of the impact as well as on the direct opposite side of the brain when it slams into the wall of the skull. These injuries can occur in a variety of situations, but they are commonly recognized after being rear-ended.
3. Diffuse axonal: This type of brain injury typically occurs when the head is shaken; a common example includes shaken baby syndrome.
4. Penetration injury: This type of brain injury occurs when an object penetrates the brain; for example, if a motorcyclist crashes without a helmet and a piece of debris in the environment penetrates their skull.
5. Anoxia: This type of brain injury occurs when the brain does not receive any oxygen; this injury can result from severe electrical shocks, near drowning, and even as a reaction to anesthesia.
6. Hypoxic: This type of brain injury occurs when the brain does not receive enough oxygen; hypoxia injuries may occur during the birth process when a C-section is delayed, but may also occur as the result of strong pain medications that inhibit breathing.

Whenever a brain injury occurs due to the negligent or intentional conduct of one or more parties, it may be possible to file a claim.

Brain injuries can be one of the most life-altering experiences a person can go through; not only do these injuries affect the victim and their ability to function daily and work as they did prior to their injury, but it affects the victim’s family and friends as well. Whenever a brain injury could have been prevented with a reasonable attention to safety by one or more parties, it may be possible to file a TBI claim to pursue compensation for the resulting damages, from medical bills and lost wages to pain and suffering and life care expenses. Common causes of brain injuries in which one or more parties might have been negligent include car accidents, workplace injuries, birth injuries, and more. Brain injuries may also occur due to intentional conduct, such as assault, in which case the perpetrator may be considered both civilly liable as well as criminally guilty.

If you suspect your brain injury or that of a loved one occurred due to negligence or intentional conduct, it’s important to reach out to a brain injury lawyer as soon as possible; not only do these attorneys typically offer free consultations and work on contingency, they can also help to identify liable parties, unique damages, collect evidence, and ensure the claim is filed prior to the expiration of the statute of limitations, or deadline after which the injured party is no longer eligible to pursue compensation for their injury. If you suspect that you or a loved one might have suffered a brain injury, seek medical care as soon as possible to not only document the injury but to begin the journey toward physical recovery as well.

To learn more about the types of traumatic brain injury, or for help investigating your claim or that of a loved one, reach out to an experienced TBI attorney in your area.