Contusions or concussions - When the brain is bruised by hitting the cranium, a contusion or concussion occurs. This injury can lead to vomiting, dizziness, headaches and problems remembering or concentrating. It can have long term effects

Anoxic brain injury - An anoxic brain injury occurs when blood flow to the brain is disrupted. It is caused by a lack of oxygen to the brain usually by swelling and bleeding of the brain tissue.

Contrecoup - When the brain is thrust against both sides of the skull, a contrecoup injury occurs. The brain hits one side of the skull, rebounds and hits the other side of the skull.

Skull fracture - A skull fracture is a break in the bone that surrounds the brain. Many times this type of injury will heal by itself, but if tissue damage has occurred below the fracture, surgery may be required.

Epidural hematoma - An epidural hematoma occurs when blood accumulates between the skull and the top lining of the brain, known as the dura. The clot causes pressure changes in the brain, which can require surgery.

Subdural hematoma - A subdural hematoma is when blood accumulates between the brain tissue and the dura. It can be referred to as a chronic subdural hematoma when it occurs slowly over several weeks. An acute subdural hematoma is a more severe version but both may require surgery.

Diffuse axonal injury (DAI) - DAI is a type of brain injury that occurs with the rotation and disruption of the brain inside the skull, which severs or shears the brain's long connecting nerve fibers or axons. These types of injuries can be hard to detect. Studies seem to indicate that the damage to the axons occurs within the first 12 to 24 hours after the injury. The effects of this brain injury may not be long term, but if severe could also result in permanent disability and coma.

When a brain injury occurs, the functions of the neurons, nerve tracts, or sections of the brain can be affected. If the neurons and nerve tracts are affected, they can be unable or have difficulty carrying the messages that tell the brain what to do. This can change the way a person thinks, acts, feels, and moves the body. Brain injury can also change the complex internal functions of the body, such as regulating body temperature, blood pressure, bowel and bladder control. These changes can be temporary or permanent and they may cause impairment or a complete inability to perform a function.

The legal issues involved in obtaining recovery for a client with a traumatic brain injury are numerous and extraordinarily complicated. It is absolutely critical that victims of head and brain injuries, or their family, contact LAW OFFICES OF MATHYS & SCHNEID at the earliest possible time so that we can guide you through the legal issues and allow you to focus on the process of recovering from the injuries.

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It is important that if you believe you or a loved one has been a victim of traumatic brain injury that you contact an attorney immediately. Traumatic brain injury lawsuits can involve numerous complicated issues that often delay resolution of the claim, and the earlier you contact an attorney, the earlier the lawsuit likely will be resolved.

For more information about traumatic brain injury lawsuits in particular or our practice areas in general, please contact us at (630) 428-4040 for a free office consultation, or fill out our free online consultation form.