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Types of Brain Injury

There are two main types of brain injuries: Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) and Non-Traumatic Brain Injuries (ABI). According to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, TBIs are the most common type of brain injury, affecting as many as 1.7 million people each year.

What is a Traumatic Brain Injury?

A TBI is an injury to the brain caused by a blow to the head. TBIs are commonly caused by car accidents, falls, physical assaults, and sports-related accidents. These injuries range in severity; some individuals recover from a TBI in days, while others result in permanent disability or death.

There are various types of TBIs, including:

  • Concussions. Concussions are one of the most common types of TBIs. They are caused by shaking, an impact to the head, or a sudden change in movement that makes the head and brain move back and forth rapidly. Concussions can result in headaches, problems with concentration, memory loss, disorientation, and even life-long brain damage, especially if the individual suffers them frequently.
  • Diffuse Axonal Injury. A diffuse axonal injury occurs when the head moves so violently that the brain steam cannot keep up with the rate of movement, causing the connections between the brain cells to twist and tear. It can result in varying forms of brain damage, depending on the areas of the brain that are affected and the severity of the tears.
  • Intracranial Hematomas. Intracranial hematomas occur when a blood vessel ruptures, leading to the collection of blood in the brain tissue or empty spaces.            
  • Skull Fractures. Skull fractures happen when there is a break in the skull. They can cause injury to the brain and provide an open avenue for infection.
  • Contusion. A contusion is a bruise of the brain tissue. It is caused by the breaking and leaking of small blood vessels. The brain can be injured directly at the site of impact or on the opposite side of the skull. Contusions range from minor to severe. In serious cases, it can cause loss of consciousness, confusion, tiredness, emotional distress, or agitation.
  • Penetrating Injury. A penetrating injury occurs when an object penetrates the skull to make contact with the brain. It can result in severe bleeding, blood clots, disrupted oxygen supply. If not treated immediately, a penetrating brain injury can be fatal. Gunshots are the lead cause of penetrating brain injuries.

What is a Non-Traumatic Acquired Brain Injury?

An ABI is caused by internal factors, like loss of oxygen, toxin exposure, or pressure from a tumor. Typically, an ABI is caused by a stroke, aneurysm, tumor, almost drowning, infectious disease, or a lack of oxygen to the brain.  

Some examples of non-traumatic acquired brain injuries are:

  • Brain Hemorrhage. A brain hemorrhage is the uncontrollable bleeding that occurs within or between the brain tissue. It is usually connected to an aneurysm bursting.
  • Hypoxic/Anoxic Brain Injury. A hypoxic brain injury occurs when there is a shortage of oxygen to the brain, and an anoxic brain injury occurs when there is no oxygen in part of the brain. After only four to five minutes without proper oxygen, brain cells will begin to die, resulting in brain injury.
  • Stroke. A stroke occurs when the blood flow to the brain is cut off, and the brain cells begin to die. It can be caused by an artery blockage (ischemic) or a blood vessel burst (hemorrhagic).

What Should You Do If You Suffered a Traumatic Injury in Houston?

The first step you should take is to seek medical attention. Brain injuries should be promptly evaluated and treated, even if your symptoms do not appear to be severe at first. The treatment will vary depending on the type of brain injury and how severe it is.

After receiving proper medical treatment, you should contact a Houston personal injury attorney. You may be entitled to compensation depending on the cause of your injury. The attorneys at the Paxton Law Firm have helped many individuals suffering from brain injuries get the payments that they deserve.

Your Houston Brain Injury Attorney

If you or a loved one have suffered a brain injury, call the Paxton Law Firm. We have represented injured persons involved in these types of accidents for nearly twenty years.

Let us review your case and advise you of your rights. The Paxton Law Firm believes in taking the stress of dealing with your legal battles and turning a negative situation into the best possible outcome lady justice allows. We offer free consultations, and you do not pay any legal fees until we recover for you.

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