California Open Head Injury Attorneys
Penetrating Head Injury
A penetration injury, which is also commonly known as an open head injury, is one in which an object breaches the protective layer surrounding the brain. This structure is the dura mater. During a penetration injury, an object enters the brain, but does not exit it.
Common Causes of Penetration Injuries
Obviously, the impacts that cause penetration injuries must be quite severe in order to fracture the skull. A few of the more common causes of penetration injuries include the following:
- Gunshot wounds
- Knife wounds
- Skull fractures
These can be due to falls, automobile accidents, etc. Depending on the nature of the fracture, a piece of the skull may lodge into the brain.
What Risks Are Associated With Penetration Injuries?
The outcomes of a penetration injury are not easy to predict since much depends on the site of the injury and its severity. There is a chance that one or several of the following might occur after a penetration injury:
- Infection
- Damage to blood vessels in the brain
- Cerebrospinal fluid leakage
- Brain swelling and increased intracranial pressure
- Coma
- Paralysis
- Seizures
- Dementia
- Contusions
- Hematomas
- Hemorrhages
- Diffuse axonal injury
- Persistent vegetative state
- Death
Treating Penetration Injuries
It is crucial to seek out medical treatment for a penetration injury as quickly as possible. Doctors will perform initial treatment to stabilize the patient after determining the extent of the injuries through an examination and other methods such as MRI or CT scans. Stabilization methods may include the following:
- Fighting infections with antibiotics
- Performing surgery to remove the foreign object, repair the injury and/or reduce pressure within the skull
- Administering IV fluids
Depending on the severity of the brain damage, follow-up care and a rehabilitation program may be necessary. A comprehensive recovery plan might include psychiatric counseling, physical therapy and medical treatment from a neurologist. There is no general prognosis for everyone who sustains a penetration injury, but objects traveling at high velocities, such as bullets fired from a gun, tend to cause more severe injuries and long-term physical and mental complications.
If you or a loved one has suffered from a penetrating head injury, you have the right to hold the responsible party liable for the injuries they have caused. Please contact The Brain Injury Legal Help Center to discuss your brain injury claim with a skilled California head injury lawyer. Contact us today at (800) 610-1892.