Traumatic brain injury is a major cause of death and disability, contributing to approximately 30% of all deaths from injury. A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is defined as an alteration in brain function, or other evidence of brain pathology, caused by an external force. This blog is the second part of a series describing the various types of brain injuries.
Shaken Baby Syndrome
Shaken Baby Syndrome occurs when someone violently shakes a baby or young child. This whiplash-like motion causes blood vessels between the brain and skull to rupture and bleed. Further, blood accumulates in the brain, compressing brain tissue and causing the brain to swell, damaging brain cells.
Locked in Syndrome
This condition is a rare neurological condition in which a person only has the ability to physically move his eyes! The person is conscious and able to think, but cannot physically move any part of the body except the eyes.
Anoxic Brain Injury
Anoxic Brain Injury occurs when the brain no longer receives oxygen. While Anoxic Anoxia occurs from the complete lack of any oxygen supplied to the brain, Anemic Anoxia occurs from blood that carries some but not enough oxygen. Toxic Anoxia occurs when toxins or metabolites block oxygen in the blood and prevent its use.
Hypoxic Brain Injury
Hypoxic Brain Injury results from the brain receiving an insufficient supply of oxygen. Hypoxic Ischemic Brain Injury, i.e., Stagnant Hypoxia or Ischemic Insult, occurs when blood flow to the brain is critically reduced.
Open Head Injury
Many different types of skull fractures may occur with open head injuries. A broken piece of skull bone may enter the brain. The fracture may be located at the ear’s petrous bone. The skull fracture may be located in the back of the head or behind the nose.
Closed Head Injury
An injury occurring from an impact to the head from an outside force, which does not result in a fracture is termed a “closed head injury.” These injuries may still be very severe in that the brain may swell causing brain tissues to compress, causing further injury.
The aforementioned brain injuries may cause seizures, lifelong disability, coma, and death. Because the skulls of infants and children are not completely solid until they grow older, their increased susceptibility to skull fractures makes them especially prone to traumatic brain injuries.
For 110 years, Powell Law has litigated Pennsylvania personal injury actions in cases ranging from motor vehicle accidents to medical malpractice. Consult the experienced attorneys at Powell Law. Contact us online or call (570) 961-0777. You don’t pay unless we win.
