More than any other injury, brain injuries have the greatest potential to alter the lives of afflicted individuals and their families. People affected by even mild brain injuries often suffer memory loss or amnesia, altered emotions, and tainted personalities. Most traumatic brain injury accidents are preventable and occur because of another party’s recklessness, carelessness, or negligence. If you or a loved one has suffered a traumatic brain injury as a result of another’s wrongdoing, you may wish to consult an attorney who can help you receive the compensation you deserve. The attorneys of The Oshman Firm pledge to work with you and your treating doctors to discover the full impact of your injury and vigorously pursue those responsible for you pain.

What causes brain injuries? Traumatic brain injury, or TBI, occurs in three general ways: the head being struck with force; the head striking an object, and/or the brain undergoing movement within the skull, yet without visual trauma to the exterior of the head.

The head being struck with force

A direct blow to the head can be great enough to injure the brain inside the skull. A direct force to the head can also break the skull and directly hurt the brain. This type of injury can occur from motor vehicle crashes, firearms, and physical violence, such as hitting or striking with an object.

The head striking an object

The most common instance of the head striking an object is in falls, often during sports-related activities. Some of the more common activities include tackle football, rugby, skiing, skateboarding, bicycle riding, horseback riding, etc.

The brain undergoing movement

A rapid acceleration and deceleration of the head can force the brain to move back and forth across the inside of the skull. The stress from the rapid movements pulls apart nerve fibers and causes damage to brain tissue. This type of injury often occurs as a result of motor vehicle crashes and physical violence, such as Shaken Baby Syndrome.

In addition to Shaken Baby Syndrome, other causes of brain injury in children include falls, abuse, recreation accidents, and motor vehicle accidents. Other examples include falls from shopping carts, accidents involving children in “walkers,” and falls from windows. Elementary/school aged children are most often injured in recreational accidents, playground falls or SUV rollover accidents.

TBI can result from a closed head injury or a penetrating head injury. A closed head injury occurs when an object does not break through the skull. A penetrating head injury occurs when an object pierces the skull and enters the brain tissue.

A skull fracture occurs when the bone of the skull cracks or breaks. A depressed skull fracture occurs when pieces of the broken skull press into the tissue of the brain. This can cause bruising of the brain tissue, called a contusion. A contusion can also occur in response to shaking of the brain within the confines of the skull, an injury called “countrecoup.” Shaken baby syndrome is a severe form of head injury that occurs when a baby is shaken forcibly enough to cause extreme countrecoup injury. Damage to a major blood vessel within the head can cause a hematoma, or heavy bleeding into or around the brain. The severity of a TBI can range from a mild concussion to the extremes of coma or even death. A coma is a profound or deep state of unconsciousness.
At The Oshman Firm, when we accept a brain injury case, we are committed providing the best representation available. Our clients are provided the time, attention and respect they deserve when entrusting their legal matters to us. We strive to create an environment where every client’s case is handled as the most important one in the firm. For more information about TBI causes or to determine if you have claim, contact us today at 1-800-400-8182, or contact us online for a free case evaluation.

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