Brain injuries can occur in sports injuries, falls, auto collisions and work accidents. Lawsuits involving brain injuries are more complex than other cases because the injury is much more complicated. Consequences can be both subtle and far-reaching. Attorneys who specialize in brain injury cases understand the factors that can influence the outcome of a case.
1. Brain Injuries Aren’t Always Visible
A head injury can occur even though there is no obvious wound, such as penetration of the brain case or crack in the skull. The brain is composed of soft tissue suspended in liquid within the skull case. When an individual suffers a blow to the head or jarring of the head, the tissue can strike against the skull’s interior bone, causing bruising. This movement can cause a variety of symptoms, such as gait problems, speech problems, mood changes and difficulty concentrating.
2. Damage Is Not Always Immediate
Immediately after an incident, the person may feel fine and may be unaware that serious damage has occurred. However, in months that follow the accident, the person may notice unusual effects, such as frequent headaches, episodes of dizziness or depression. These may be a result of undetected damage to brain tissue.
3. Small Injuries Can Cause Big Effects
The brain is complex organ with thousands of connections that interact in intricate ways. Different areas of the brain control a variety of functions. Depending on the area within the brain, small injuries can have effects that can significantly impair an individual’s function.
4. Oxygen Deprivation May Be a Factor
In some cases, brain injury can occur as a result of lack of oxygen to brain tissue. These injuries can occur as a result of accident or in the course of medical treatment. When the brain is deprived of oxygen, even for a short time, serious injury can occur that can impair function in everyday life.
5. Personality Changes May Occur
Many people are not aware that mood and personality changes can result after an injury to the head. The individual may not connect these changes to the injury. A thorough medical and psychological evaluation can help to make this subtle connection between the incident and unusual behavior.
Because brain injuries are more difficult to detect and may not appear for a while, lawsuits can be difficult. For your brain injury lawsuit, consult with a law firm that has experience in this particular area of litigation.
Information credited to Cummings Andrews Mackay LLP, brain injury lawyers.
This article is from Kara Masterson, a freelance writer from West Jordan, Utah. She graduated from the University of Utah and enjoys writing and spending time with her dog, Max.
