Frequently Asked Questions About Brain Injuries
Baker & Abraham, P.C. helps brain injury clients by providing answers to commonly asked questions. Please feel free to contact our Boston injury firm for additional helpful information.
- What are the most common types of brain injury?
- What causes a brain injury?
- Are some injuries milder than others?
- Am I entitled to compensation if I or a loved one has suffered a brain injury?
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What are the most common types of brain injury?
Brain injuries are classified as either mild, moderate, or severe. The classifications only refer to the patient’s behavior in the day or so after the impact. By far, the most common type of brain injury is mild (approximately 85 percent).
Classification of mild TBI can be misleading. Many patients with mild TBI have serious and lifelong consequences.
A force or blow can cause traumatic brain injury by causing the brain to move inside the skull or by damaging the skull to the extent that it then damages the brain. Many traumatic brain injuries stem from motor vehicle accidents, a direct blow to the head with a heavy instrument, sports injuries, slip-and-fall accidents, and physical violence.
Some causes of acquired brain injury include starvation of oxygen to the brain and lack of blood flow to the brain. Some of the circumstances under which one might suffer an acquired brain injury include near drowning, choking, stroke, disease, and toxic exposure.
Are some injuries milder than others?
The level of brain injury can vary with traumatic and acquired brain injuries—what the doctors term a mild TBI. A mild TBI can resolve, and in most circumstances does; however, about 15 percent of patients who suffer mild TBI have significant and lifelong symptoms such as confusion, headaches, memory problems, nausea, sickness, depression and emotional problems.
Symptoms of moderate TBI generally last longer than those of mild TBI, and the effects are often more profound. A good recovery is possible; however, it is less likely.
A severe TBI can lead to catastrophic problems. A serious brain injury can result in a coma, a vegetative state, minimum responsive state, locked-in syndrome, and brain death. Even in the patients who recover from severe TBI, almost all have significant functional and behavioral problems requiring long-term care.
In addition, any traumatic brain injury exposes the patient to an increased risk of future harm. Some studies support the notion that people who suffer TBI are more likely to die sooner. TBI has also been associated with increased risk of epilepsy, vision disturbances, hypo-thyroidism, growth hormone deficiency, incontinence, sexual dysfunction, and psychiatric diseases. In severe TBI, patients have a 400 percent increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. In moderate TBI, there is a 230 percent increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.
Am I entitled to compensation if I or a loved one has suffered a brain injury?
A qualified brain injury lawyer can best evaluate your case for possible compensation. He or she will thoroughly review the facts of your case and advise you regarding all options.
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