The human brain is so complex and multi-dimensional that we still understand very little about the way it functions. We do, however, understand that any sort of injury to this vital organ can be devastating and lead to serious, possibly even life-long impacts. We have classified these injuries into two types: traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and acquired brain injuries (ABI). Traumatic brain injuries occur from a trauma to the brain, usually the result of a significant impact. Let’s look at these types of injuries more closely.

Concussion

Concussions are the result of a severe impact or violent shaking of the head which causes the straining or stretching of blood vessels and cranial nerves. These are the most common of all TBIs and can happen from a wide range of causes, including a hard fall, a whiplash-like incident, and more. These are somewhat mysterious and we still don’t fully understand them, as they may show severe symptoms immediately and other times may show few to none at all. Sometimes they can heal in a matter of just a few months, but others can take years and still leave a permanent impact.

Contusion

A contusion occurs when an impact causes a bruise or heavy bleeding on or inside the brain. These are not as common as concussions, but can be extremely serious. Hemorrhages may need to be surgically removed, as bleeding can lead to pressure in the skull (subdural hematoma), which can cause symptoms such as immense headaches, permanent brain damage, and even possibly be fatal.

Coup-Contrecoup

These injuries are caused by incredibly hard impacts to the brain which cause it to shift and become injured clear on the other side of the head as well. For example, when the brain is impacted at the front of the skull, one of these injuries can occur if the brain also sustains a contusion at the back of the skull as a result of the brain moving.

Diffuse Axonal

Diffuse axonal injuries occur in incidents where the head moves quickly but the brain inside does not move quickly enough to catch up to it. This can result in significant tearing of vital nerves and tissues, which does a serious amount of damage to the brain. It’s not uncommon for diffuse axonal injuries to result in functional impairments, coma, or even death. Shaken baby syndrome is one example of a known cause of diffuse axonal injuries.

Penetration

Penetration injuries occur when an outside object or force breaks through the skull and forces skin, hair, bones, fragments, or other objects into the brain itself. By far the most common cause of these injuries is firearms, and as you can imagine, they almost always result in fatalities. The damage is often intensified by the object getting lodged inside the skull and ricocheting, which widens the damage area.

If you or a loved one have suffered a traumatic brain injury through the fault of another, discuss your case with a Walnut Creek injury attorney from Casper, Meadows, Schwartz & Cook. We have successfully recovered more than $375 million on behalf of our clients to help them restore their lives to the best of their abilities and overcome the losses they have sustained. We recognize the importance fighting for the justice that injury victims deserve, and we won’t stop until your case has received the result it deserves.

Get a free consultation from our skilled team today! Call Casper, Meadows, Schwartz & Cook today at (925) 275-5592.