California Acquired Brain Injury Lawyers
Acquired Brain Injury
An acquired brain injury takes place at the cellular level inside your brain and is not the result of a hereditary or degenerative condition, nor is it caused by birth trauma. It can affect the cells throughout your entire brain at any time after birth and is usually due to an illness, oxygen deprivation or injury.
Types of Acquired Brain Injury
There are two categories of acquired brain injury: anoxia and hypoxia.
Possible causes of anoxic brain injury include the following:
- A loss of oxygen supply to the brain known as “anoxic anoxia”
- A shortfall of oxygen in the blood supply known as “anemic anoxia”
- Toxins or metabolites that block oxygen in the blood supply from being used known as “toxic anoxia”
Possible causes of hypoxic brain injury include the following:
- A lack of adequate oxygen supply to the brain
- A lack of blood flow to the brain as the result of a large drop in flow or pressure
- Localized reduction of blood flow to brain tissue that fails to meet metabolic demand, also referred to as “hypoxic ischemic,” “stagnant hypoxia” or “ischemic insult”
Sources of Acquired Brain Injury
There are a number of injuries or illnesses that could result in either anoxic or hypoxic brain injuries. Here are some possible scenarios:
- You have exposure to a toxin that causes your airway to constrict, cutting off the oxygen to your brain.
- You use an electrical device that is faulty, resulting in a significant electrical shock.
- You are the victim of an assault during which an assailant tried to strangle you.
- The steering wheel of your car crushes your chest following a traffic accident.
- You suffer a heart attack, stroke or aneurysm.
Possible Symptoms of Acquired Brain Injury
Since the causes of an acquired brain injury can be sudden (stroke, drowning) or insidious (prolonged exposure to toxic substance, chronic illness) the symptoms may differ. You can expect to experience the following:
- Mental and/or physical fatigue
- Loss of ability to process information rapidly
- Loss of ability to make plans and solve problems
- Changes in behavior and personality, ranging from mild to dramatic
- Loss of certain physical and/or sensory abilities, ranging from mild to severe
- Cognitive and learning impairment, ranging from minor to profound
Living With an Acquired Brain Injury
It can be very difficult to cope with the changes in your thoughts, feelings and abilities both for you and for your loved ones. It is important to remember that help is available and though changes are likely, you can get treatment and go on with your life. It is important for you and your family to learn as much as possible about acquired brain injury, particularly how your specific condition has affected your physical, mental and emotional capabilities. This information will help you recognize the difficulties you are facing and the best possible treatment options. You can then focus on what you are able to achieve rather than what you have lost.
If you or a loved one has been the victim of an acquired brain injury in California, please contact a California brain injury lawyer at The Brain Injury Legal Help Center for more information, or to discuss your situation. Call (800) 610-1892 today.