Brain injuries cause a variety of health consequences, including cognitive issues and mood problems. These are injuries that can occur for a variety of reasons, including car accidents, falls, and medical malpractice. Learn more about the four main types of brain injuries and their various levels of severity.
Four Types of Brain Injuries
There are four main types of brain injuries. Medical professionals typically use the following classifications to assess and diagnose their patients:
1. Penetrating Brain Injuries
Penetrating brain injuries occur when something pierces the skull, cutting through the cranial vault and damaging the brain. The penetration can lead to damaged blood vessels, resulting in bleeding, and the brain tissue itself could be irreversibly damaged.
2. Non-Penetrating Brain Injuries
The most common types of brain injuries are those that occur from blunt force trauma. These happen when your head suffers a blow or other form of impact, without it resulting in an open wound.
The force can be enough to cause the brain to move or shift, damaging brain tissues when the organ hits the skull. Even if your brain doesn’t hit the skull, the rapid motion can result in torn tissue, leading to subdural hematomas.
3. Anoxic and Hypoxic Brain Injuries
These types of brain injuries occur when your brain doesn’t receive enough oxygen to function. An anoxic injury happens when the brain doesn’t receive any oxygen for a sustained period of time. Drowning is a common cause of anoxic brain injuries.
A hypoxic injury, on the other hand, involves the brain not getting enough oxygen, as can occur if there’s an anesthesia error during surgery or problems during a baby’s delivery.
4. Injuries with No Direct Contact
Even if you don’t suffer a direct blow to the head, you can still sustain a brain injury. The rapid deceleration that can occur during a severe car accident, for example, can lead your brain to twist. The brain can also experience a significant amount of pressure from the cranial meninges and the cerebrospinal fluid around it, potentially leading to a concussion.
Three Levels of Brain Injury Severity
Another way that brain injuries are classified is by their severity level. There are three levels:
1. Mild Brain Injuries
Concussions are considered to be mild brain injuries. They cause temporary harm and typically don’t result in loss of consciousness. If you have suffered a mild brain injury, you will likely be able to move normally, but you may experience confusion, nausea, and fatigue.
2. Moderate Brain Injuries
Moderate brain injuries can result in you losing consciousness for more than 30 minutes. You can experience seizures or convulsions, along with slurred speech and increased restlessness. Medical attention is necessary for a moderate brain injury.
3. Severe Brain Injuries
With severe brain injuries, you can lose consciousness for extended periods of time. Memory loss can occur and last for more than seven days. The symptoms of a severe brain injury are usually the same as for a mild or moderate one, but they are more disruptive. A severe brain injury can leave lasting cognitive issues and mood disturbances.
Contact Our Jacksonville Brain Injury Lawyers at Baggett Law Personal Injury Lawyers for a Free Consultation
If another party’s conduct resulted in your brain injury, you may be entitled to begin a claim against them. This is not a simple process, however, so it’s necessary to hire a personal injury lawyer to assist you. With the right team by your side, you may be able to obtain compensation to address medical expenses, lost wages, and the suffering you’ve experienced.
For more information, please contact the Jacksonville and Ponte Vedra personal injury law firm of Baggett Law Personal Injury Lawyers at the nearest location to schedule a free consultation today.
We serve Duval County, St. Johns County, and its surrounding areas:
Baggett Law Personal Injury Lawyers – Jacksonville
9471 Baymeadows Rd #105,
Jacksonville, FL 32256
(904) 396-1100
Baggett Law Personal Injury Lawyers – Downtown Jacksonville
121 W Forsyth St Suite 1000,
Jacksonville, FL 32202
(904) 822-4225
Baggett Law Personal Injury Lawyers – Ponte Vedra
480 Town Plaza Ave #130,
Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32081
(904) 675-1167
