Personal injury claims arise in numerous situations, from auto accidents and medical malpractice to wrongful death and product liability. Any of these can cause someone to sustain a brain injury; however, the most common cause of brain injury is slip and falls. Although the majority of slip and falls cases fall under workers’ compensation claims, these incidents also occur frequently among nursing home residents.
All brain injuries are unique and fall into one of two categories: traumatic or non-traumatic. Both types can impact the brain in different ways. Non-traumatic injuries are not a form of personal injury because they emerge from complications within the body. Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), on the other hand, surface when an external force strikes the skull, and negligence may play a factor. Review the following types of brain injuries suffered in personal injury accidents.
Concussion
Concussions are minor forms of TBIs, so they’re often not life-threatening. However, untreated concussions can lead to long-term brain damage. Concussions are a frequent occurrence among athletes, but that’s not to say they don’t affect others. When a foreign object or any force outside the body violently hits the head, it causes the brain to move inside the skull cavity, resulting in damage to the brain and possibly the skull. Someone with a concussion may experience signs immediately, whereas it may take days or weeks to notice for others. A concussed person may observe these symptoms:
- Headache
- Confusion
- Nausea
- Memory loss
- Vision issues
- Insomnia
Brain Contusion
A cerebral contusion is another name for a brain bruise. When a bruise forms on your body, you likely notice blood and swelling to one centralized area. When the brain is bruised, commonly through a direct blow to the head, tissues may tear and cause extensive bleeding in the brain. Some contusions may be relatively minor; however, severe brain contusions may result in a brain herniation, where brain tissue is pushed out of the skull. Brain contusions require immediate care to stop excessive blood flow and swelling.
Coup-Contrecoup Injury
Coup-contrecoup brain injuries are essentially contusions resulting from a powerful hit to the head, causing the brain to slam against a portion of the skull. They can appear in two places: at the location of the impact (coup) and on the contralateral side of the impact (contrecoup). These injuries are also known as closed-head injuries, which are strong enough to bruise both the area that sustains the direct blow and disrupt the opposite side. Coup-contrecoup injuries may carry supplemental complications such as brain bleeding and swelling.
Penetrating Injury
Penetrating brain injuries is a type of open head injury that occurs when a foreign object breaches the skull and harms the brain. Penetrating injuries can be fatal, as in many cases, they require surgery to release pressure on the skull. Because the object enters the skull, it opens a wound that needs proper treatment to reduce the possibility of infection. This type of injury requires a rigorous assessment to avoid further damage. If not properly managed, there’s a high risk of developing long-term neurological disorders.
Diffuse Axonal Brain Injury
Diffuse axonal injuries happen when the brain violently moves, quickly bouncing off the rigid walls of the skull. The force’s extent is so sizable that nerve fibers, called axons, tear and disturb the brain’s connection to surrounding structures. A patient with a diffuse axonal brain injury may have a prolonged period of unconsciousness or coma. Those with milder cases may mimic the symptoms of a concussion.
Get Help Filing a Nursing Home Abuse Lawsuit with Dalli & Marino, LLP
Falls in nursing homes can cause a resident to sustain a severe brain injury. Often, falls by nursing home residents should have been preventable and suggest a more significant issue that has to do with the caregiver, staff, or nursing home in general. A NYC nursing home abuse lawyer at Dalli & Marino, LLP can conduct an independent investigation into your case to determine who’s responsible for the harm you endured.
If you suspect that you or someone you love developed a brain injury due to a fall in a nursing home, speak to our renowned legal team to discuss whether filing a nursing home abuse lawsuit would be the appropriate action. At Dalli & Marino, LLP, our nursing home abuse lawyers are dedicated, collaborative, and motivated to achieve favorable outcomes for our clients. We are known for our results and backed by considerable experience in holding negligent parties responsible for neglect and abuse. Call (888) 465-8790 or complete our online contact form for a free case evaluation today.
