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Understanding Traumatic Brain Injury |
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Traumatic brain injury is a form of brain injury which occurs when a sudden trauma causes severe damage to the brain. The damage may be focal (confined in one area of the brain) or diffuse (involving more than one area of the brain). A traumatic brain injury may be as a result of a closed head injury or a penetrating head injury. A closed injury occurs when the head suddenly and violently is hit by an object which does not break through the skull. A penetrating injury on the other hand, occurs when the skull is pierced by an object and enters the brain tissues damaging them.
Majority of traumatic brain injuries are as a result of transportation accidents involving motorcycles, bicycles, automobiles and pedestrians. Other causes include violence, such as child abuse, firearm assault, falling, sport injuries and incidents involving drugs and alcohol use. The cause of a traumatic brain injury plays a major role in determining the patient’s health status. Determining the cause of a traumatic brain injury is very critical in seeking legal action, since it may form the bases for any legal proceedings.
Traumatic brain injury is a major cause of deaths both for children, teenagers and adults. The injuries may however be prevented through the use of protective gears such as sports or motorcycle helmets and safety belts. Efforts to reduce the number of accidents such as enforcement of traffic laws and safety education programs may reduce the instances of traumatic brain injury. Prevention of brain injury is a crucial undertaking since some of the outcomes of the injuries may be irreversible. Furthermore no legal proceedings may reinstate a victim of traumatic brain injury to his/her original physical or mental state thus precaution is always paramount. However, in the event of a traumatic brain injury the victim can seek legal redress depending on the nature of the injury.
Traumatic brain injury may have both direct and secondary implications. A brain trauma may be caused by a direct impact or by acceleration alone. Traumatic brain injury may cause a host of physical, cognitive, emotional and behavioral effects and the outcome may range from a complete recovery to permanent disability or even death. In addition to direct damage caused at the moment of injury, a brain trauma may cause secondary injuries. Alterations in cerebral blood flow, internal bleeding and pressure within the skull may be secondary injuries attributed to the damage from the initial injury. It’s important to seek medical care for any brain injury no matter the magnitude since the secondary effects may not be obvious. However, advancement in technology and medical field have decreased the causes of brain injury related deaths and improved the patient’s outcome. Depending on the nature of injury, treatment may be minimal or may include interventions such as medications or emergency surgery. Rehabilitation of brain injury victims may be done through physical therapy, occupational therapy or speech/language therapy, physiatry (physical medicine) therapy, psychology/psychiatry therapy and social support.
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| The PH Lawfirm represents plaintiffs in wrongful death and catastrophic traumatic brain injuries cases in Seattle and across the United States according to the multijurisdictional practice and pro hac vice rules in each state.
Brain injury, traumatic brain injury, TBI |
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| Brain injury, traumatic brain injury, TBI |
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