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Types of Traumatic Brain Injury

Posted by: at 10:49 AM on October 3rd, 2020

There are many challenges that individuals and their families must grapple with following a traumatic brain injury (TBI).  

Below are four types of traumatic brain injuries and how they can change a person’s life.

#1: Concussion

Concussions are the most common TBI, often the result of unexpected trauma inflicted on a person’s head. A concussion occurs when the brain is jerked around in the direction of the force it was hit with. Although doctors used to treat concussions like mild medical issues, the medical community now recognizes that frequent concussions can result in a serious condition known as chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). CTE can permanently change a person’s emotions, behavior, and brain function.

#2: Diffuse Axonal Injury

Much like a concussion, a diffuse axonal injury (DAI) occurs when the brain is violently shaken, but to such a degree that the brain stem is damaged, causing tears in connective tissue. Although some of these tears are microscopic, others can be significantly larger, which can result in death if untreated. Symptoms of this injury vary depending on which area of the brain is affected and the size of the tears.

#3: Penetrating Injury

Catastrophic accidents can result in what is known as a penetrating injury. This type of injury happens when an object penetrates the skull and damages the brain, like a DAI, this can be fatal if not promptly treated by doctors. In some cases involving penetrating injuries, removing the object from the brain might result in excessive bleeding and eventually death. As a result, some doctors may recommend leaving the object in place before immediately performing surgery. In our experience, we have seen that bullets are a common cause of penetrating brain injuries.

#4: Second Impact Syndrome

If you have suffered a brain injury in the past, then a second brain injury can result in even further damage. In fact, the second time your head is severely impacted is more likely to cause major damage than the first. Second impact syndrome is also known as a recurrent traumatic brain injury. The severity of this type of TBI varies depending on which part of the brain was damaged.

If you or a loved one has suffered a traumatic brain injury caused by another person’s negligence, contact our office for a free consultation.  We have over 40 years of experience ensuring that our clients get the justice and compensation they deserve.