Brain Injury FAQs
2. What are the most common causes of brain injury?
3. Who is most at risk for sustaining a brain injury?
4. How is a brain injury diagnosed?
5. What are some of the effects of brain injury?
6. Can a brain injury cause any other health problems?
7. What types of medical exams are conducted to determine a brain injury?
8. How many people suffer brain injury each year?
9. What are cerebral contusions?
10. If I have suffered a brain injury, should I contact an attorney?
1. What is a traumatic brain
injury?
A traumatic brain injury is an injury to the brain
caused by an external physical force. This force may
produce a diminished or altered state of
consciousness, resulting in an impairment of cognitive
abilities or physical functioning. It can also result
in the disturbance of behavioral or emotional
functioning.
2. What are the most common causes of brain injury?
- Motor vehicle crashes - roughly 1/2 of all injuries
- Firearm-related incidents
- Slips and falls
- Violence-related injuries – abuse, Shaken Baby Syndrome
- Recreational Accidents – bicycle falls, playground equipment falls, all-terrain vehicle accidents
Please see our Causes of Traumatic Brain Injury page for more information.
3. Who is most at risk for
sustaining a brain injury?
Anyone can incur a brain injury. However, statistics
show that males are two times more likely than females
to sustain a brain injury. The highest rates of brain
injury typically occur in males ages 15-24.
Individuals who have already sustained a brain injury
are also at an increased risk of sustaining another
brain injury.
4. How is a brain injury
diagnosed?
If there is evidence of gross damage to the brain,
such as hemorrhaging, swelling or contusions, these
physical findings are detected by CT scan or MRI.
Where the damage is minimal, a diagnosis is made by
obtaining history from the patient, the symptoms
reported by the patient and the results of
neuropsychological testing.
5. What are some of the effects of brain injury?
Cognitive effects:
- Short term memory loss
- Trouble concentrating
- Difficulty with communication
- Spatial disorientation· Impaired judgment
- Unable to do more than one thing at a time
Physical effects:
- Seizures
- Muscle spasticity
- Double vision or blindness
- Loss of smell or taste
- Speech impairments
- Headaches
- Fatigue
- Balance problems
- Pain
Emotional effects:
- Difficulty completing tasks
- Increased anxiety
- Depression
- Mood swings
- Impulsive behavior
6. Can a brain injury cause any
other health problems?
After a brain injury, a variety of other damages may
occur including:
- Hematoma (epidural, subdural and/or intracerebral)
- Brain swelling/edema
- Increased intracranial pressure
- Cerebral vasospasm
- Intracranial infection
- Epilepsy
7. What types of medical exams
are conducted to determine a brain injury?
Patients with brain injury require frequent
assessments and diagnostic tests. These include:
- Neurological Exam: A series of questions and simple commands to see if the patient can open their eyes, move, speak, and understand what is going on around them.
- X-ray: A picture that looks at bones to see if they are broken (fractured).
- CT scan (CAT scan): An X-ray that takes pictures of the brain or other parts of the body.
- MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) Scan: A large magnet and radio waves are used, instead of X-rays, to take pictures of the tissues of the body.
- Angiogram: A test to look at the blood vessels in the brain. Using a catheter, dye is put into an artery that supplies blood to the brain. This test can tell if the blood vessels are damaged.
8. How many people suffer brain
injury each year?
It is estimated that 8 million people sustain brain
injuries each year in the United States. At least 2
million of those injured will be permanently impaired.
After a brain injury, things that once were easy and
familiar become strange and difficult. The injured
party often becomes less efficient at their job and
their livelihood is jeopardized.
9. What are cerebral contusions?
Cerebral contusions are bruises on the brain caused by
the brain striking the wall of the skull. A severe
contusion will involve swelling of the brain. If
swelling is severe, these injuries can cause a severe
headache, dizziness, and vomiting. One pupil may be
larger than the other. Depending on which area of the
brain is damaged, the ability to think, control
emotions, move, feel, speak, see, hear, and remember
may be impaired. The person may become irritable,
restless, or agitated.
10. If I have suffered a brain
injury, should I contact an attorney?
Yes. It is important that a lawyer be contacted to
evaluate your case as soon as possible. Often, the
circumstances of an accident or injury must be
investigated promptly or valuable evidence is forever
lost. In addition, there are statute of limitations
governing how long after an injury or accident that
you can bring a complaint against the other party. Contact
Oshman & Mirisola, LLP today to discuss your
situation.