What are the main types of brain injury?

There are actually two main types of brain injury, and within these two categories there are also different types and levels of brain injury. Traumatic brain injury occurs when the brain is damaged by an external force. In other words, the injury is not congenital or degenerative but is the result of an outside physical force such as an accident, a blow to the head, etc. Acquired brain injury is also not degenerative or congenital. This type of brain damage occurs at a cellular level, and although in some ways it can appear similar to a traumatic brain injury, this type of brain injury can often be more debilitating depending on the severity. Top

What causes a brain injury?

The type of force that can cause traumatic brain injury is one that causes the brain to move inside the skull or one that damages the skull to the extent that it then damages the brain. Some of the circumstances under which this type of injury can occur include motor vehicle accidents, a direct blow to the head with a heavy instrument, sports injuries, slip and fall accidents, and physical violence.

Some of the causes of acquired brain injury include starvation of oxygen to the brain and lack of blood flow to the brain. Some of the circumstances under which one might suffer an acquired brain injury include: Top

• Near drowning, choking, or strangulation
• Electric shock
• Obstruction of airways
• Vascular problems
• Strokes or heart attacks
• Infectious disease
• Toxic exposure
• Through the abuse of illegal drugs

Are there different levels of brain injury?

Yes. The level of brain injury can vary with both traumatic and acquired brain injuries. A person may suffer a mild brain injury, which normally affect the person for a temporary period, and can cause symptoms such as confusion, headaches, memory problems, nausea, sickness, depression, and emotional problems.

A person may suffer moderate brain injury, where symptoms can last longer and the effects can be more profound. However, patients can still make a good recovery for this level of injury in many cases.

Finally, the victim could sustain a serious brain injury. This can lead to life-changing and debilitating problems. Some of the situations that would come under a serious brain injury include: a coma, a vegetative state, a minimally responsive state, akinetic mutism, locked in syndrome, and brain death. Top

Can I claim compensation if I have suffered a brain injury?

You may be entitled to compensation depending on the circumstances and the factors surrounding liability. After contacting the law offices of Keller and Keller for a free consultation, we will be able to offer sound advice on your eligibility and can advise you on your best course of action. Top

Can I file a lawsuit on behalf of a loved on that has suffered brain injury and is now incapacitated or has passed away due to the brain injury?

This will depend upon the liability and facts surrounding your claim. The highly qualified staff at Keller and Keller will be able to gather all of the facts and advise you and your loved ones on how to proceed. Top

What is an Acquired Brain Injury (ABI)?

It is the impairment of normal brain function due to neurological manipulation, such as: open or closed head injury (traumatic brain injury TBI), select cerebral vascular lesions (i.e., aneurysm, hemorrhage, brain stem stroke), hypoxic event (loss of oxygen .. i.e., near drowning), intracranial tumor, and select neurological diseases (i.e., encephalopathy). These are a few examples of how a brain injury is sometimes acquired, though this list is far from all-inclusive, as an acquired brain injury can come from a great number of sources.

Most often, brain damage from congenital or genetic origins or birth trauma is not included within the standard definition of TBI. Neither are degenerative neurological diseases or disabilities stemming from mental illness. However, the definition of ABI and TBI will vary from organization to organization. Top

Is it only an ABI if there has been coma?

Absolutely not. ABI has many levels of intensity. It is possible that someone can acquire a brain injury without loss of consciousness or external bruising or tangible confirmation (i.e., CAT Scans, Skull X-rays, EEGs, etc.)

Individuals who have even a mild brain injury may continue to experience a wide variety of symptoms that can have life-changing implications. However, each injury is different and unique for each person. Top

What are the symptoms of an ABI?

Symptoms and related deficits fall into four major groups: Cognitive, Perceptual, Physical and Behavioral/Emotional. Be mindful that because of the uniqueness of each injury, some survivors may or may not face or exhibit some or all of the symptoms. The number of symptoms doesn't reflect on the impact that the injury will have on the survivors. Much of that depends on where the injury is located. The following is, by no means, a complete or comprehensive listing.

Cognitive Symptoms

• Difficulty in processing information (decreased speed, accuracy and consistency)
• Shortened attention span
• Inability to understand abstract concepts
• Impaired decision-making ability
• Inability to shift mental tasks or to follow multi-step directions
• Memory loss or impairment
• Language deficits (difficulty expressing thoughts and understanding others, inappropriate word selection)

Perceptual Symptoms

• Change in vision, hearing or sense of touch
• Loss of sense of time and space and spatial disorientation
• Disorders of smell and taste
• Altered sense of balance
• Increased pain sensitivity

Physical Symptoms

• Persistent headache
• Extreme mental and/or physical fatigue
• Disorders of movement - gaiting, ataxia, spasticity and tremors
• Seizure activity (traumatic epilepsy) Impaired small motor control
• Photosensitivity (sensitivity to light)
• Sleep disorders
• Paralysis
• Speech that is not clear due to poor control of the muscles in the lips, tongue and jaw and/or poor breathing patterns

Behavioral/Emotional Symptoms

• Irritability and impatience
• Reduced tolerance for stress
• Lack of initiative, apathy
• Dependence (failure to assume responsibility for one's actions
• Denial of disability
• Lack of inhibition (may result in aggression, cursing and inappropriate sexual behavior
• Inflexibility
• Flattened or heightened emotional responses/reactions

How long does a brain injury last?

Each injury is different and unique to the survivor just as all survivors have different capacities for recognizing and compensating for the symptoms they exhibit. Much depends on getting the correct diagnosis and treatment and ensuring that good support systems are in place for the ENTIRE family. Changes and improvement continue although sometimes they are so slight they are hard to notice. It doesn't happen overnight. Some of the deficits may remain for a lifetime while others may improve to the point that they are not a major factor in day-to-day living. Top

Is a Mild Brain Injury unimportant?

Any injury to the brain should be given immediate attention. A mild brain injury can have the same devastating effects that a moderate or severe injury can have. The key point is location. Most survivors of mild brain injury don't lose consciousness and may only be in the emergency room for a short time before being sent home without ever knowing that they've been injured. For many of them, the survivor and their family/friends will begin noticing changes in them .. sometimes very subtle, sometimes very obvious. Since they weren't diagnosed with a brain injury in the emergency room and since they didn't ever lose consciousness, far too many of them will never receive the help that they need. Only now are the impacts of mild brain injury being understood, identified and treated. Most typically, mild brain injuries are received in car accidents where the brain is 'sloshed' around in the skull by the collision. Top

Does everyone who hits their head get a brain injury?

In the most mild of cases, the brain still gets bruised in much the same way your leg might get bruised if you bump into a coffee table. However, the head and the brain is pretty resilient and it can usually handle that injury without much effort. Some times people can get a really tremendous blow on the head and it not have any external effect. Again, much depends of the location of the injury and the brain's ability to compensate. Top

How many people suffer from brain injuries in the United States annually?

Every year approximately 1.5 million people suffer from some type of brain injury. About 50,000 of those people, or 1/3, die as a result of their brain injuries. Top

What is an open head brain injury?

An open head brain injury is an occurrence where a foreign object penetrates the skull and punctures the brain, making it susceptible to infection. Open head brain injuries typically cause impairment to the functions that the injured part of the brain controls. Top

What is a closed head brain injury?

A closed head brain injury is an accident where there is trauma to the brain that does not result in a skull fracture. Closed head injuries are somewhat difficult to diagnose because there may be no physical signs of injury. Like other brain injuries, closed head injuries must be treated immediately. Top

What is a brain contusion and how is it caused?

A brain contusion is an injury that may be sustained at the same as a traumatic brain injury. As the result of head trauma brain tissue becomes bruised and swollen, and broken blood vessels may cause blood to mix with the brain tissue. Brain contusions may cause other serious medical conditions, including some that can place the victim in a vegetative state or death. Top

What are some common causes of brain injury?

Automobile accidents, falls, violence, and sports injuries are the leading causes of brain injury in the United States. Top

What percentage of brain injuries result from auto accidents?

Over half of all brain injuries are caused by auto accidents. The victim may be a driver or passenger in a car, or a motorcyclist, pedestrian, or bicyclist. Top

Does a serious fall put a person at risk for brain damage?

Approximately 25% of all brain injuries result from a serious fall. Elderly people and young children are especially at risk for this type of brain injury. Top

Can toxic substances cause brain damage?

Yes, toxic substances cause brain damage. There are approximately 1,000 chemicals that have the potential to inflict serious injury to people, including brain damage, learning disabilities, depression, dementia, and death. Inhaling, ingesting, and touching are some of the ways that these toxic chemicals can harm children and adults. Because another party may be liable for negligence associated with a toxic substance, it is important that you contact the law offices of Keller and Keller to ensure your rights are protected. Top

Does a person who has suffered from a brain injury need to see various specialists?

Yes. Depending on the severity and type of brain damage a person experiences, he or she may need to visit speech pathologists, neurologists, physical therapists, recreational therapists, psychiatrists, and other medical professionals to aid in recovery.

If you or a loved one has suffered a traumatic brain injury, the law offices of Keller and Keller are available to you for a free, confidential consultation with an attorney from our firm who is experienced in handling personal injury claims. You can either contact us by phone at 1-800-2KELLER or through the use of our Free Case Evaluation submission form.

Should you decide to retain our services after the initial consultation, we will work on a contingent fee basis. This means that our offices will only be paid for our services once we make a recovery on your behalf from the insurance company.