Levels of Brain Injury

You may not be able to see a brain injury, but the effects can impact many aspects of a person’s life. Brain injuries can occur from oxygen deprivation or trauma to the head, resulting in a myriad of cognitive and functional issues for the victim.  Like any injury, there are different levels of brain injury and impairment, requiring varying levels of treatment and ongoing medical care.

It is not just the severity of the brain injury, but also what areas of the brain are affected. A severe blow to the head during a car accident may cause contusions, yet the brain may seem unaffected. Other times a fall can jar the head and cause a long-term brain injury. It all depends on the circumstance and the person.

Brain Injury Types

The two main types of brain injuries are traumatic and acquired. A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a result of external damage to the brain. This can be impact or penetration, causing injury to a portion of the brain.  In traumatic brain injuries, there are different levels of trauma:

• With a mild TBI, consciousness may only be lost for a few seconds or minutes and the person may be confused or dizzy after the occurrence. This is usually a concussion.
• A moderate TBI can result in unconsciousness for up to a few hours. While some people may only have temporary symptoms of confusion, others with a moderate TBI can have permanent or long-term changes to cognitive, physical and behavioral function.
• Severe TBI. Penetration to the brain or crushing blows to the head can result in severe TBI. There is a higher chance of permanent damage to the brain causing disability and a higher risk of epilepsy and other disorders.

The second type of brain injury is acquired. This can be caused by stroke, delivery problems during childbirth, drowning and other circumstances that impact oxygen reaching the brain. Acquired brain injury can result in serious damage to the brain, impacting cognitive, physical and behavioral function.

When a brain injury is caused by a car accident, medical negligence or another’s actions, there may be options to receive financial compensation through a personal injury lawsuit. Contact Tison Law Group in Tampa Bay if you or a loved one are suffering from a brain injury caused by someone else’s negligence.