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Oakland Brain Injury Attorneys
Oakland Brain Injury
Let's take a closer look at some of the types of acquired brain injury that residents and visitors to Oakland, California can suffer. Acquired brain injuries occur after birth – they are thus differentiated from degenerative or hereditary injuries or head injuries caused by a distressing event during birth.
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) may affect a specific local region of the brain; whereas an acquired brain injury may have more global characteristics. For instance, someone who suffers a traumatic brain injury due to a gunshot wound may experience acute damage to one part of the brain, but retain general functionality in the rest of the brain. Someone who gets an acquired injury due to exposure to carbon monoxide, lead, or some other toxin, on the other hand, may experience an “all around” brain injury.
Causes of Oakland Brain Injury
Anoxia – when the brain does not receive enough oxygen, tissues and structures can get damaged rapidly. Various forces can deprive the brain of oxygen. For instance, in toxic anoxia, metabolites or other toxins prevent the blood from taking up enough oxygen to nourish the brain and neural tissues. In anemia anoxia, the blood is also unable to take up enough oxygen to supply the brain with this critical fuel. In anoxic anoxia (due to choking, for instance) the blood itself might be fine, but the blood cannot reach the brain to provide the oxygen.
Hypoxic Brain Injuries – If the brain receives some oxygen – but not enough – damage can still result. A slowing of the blood flow to the brain caused by a medical condition or by an outside force, such as obstruction of the airway, can rapidly degrade brain function. Even a few minutes without oxygen can lead to permanent disability, coma, or even death.
Common Causes of Oakland Brain Injury (Acquired)
- Aneurysm or stroke – the formation of blood clots in the brain can damage structures and prevent blood from reaching key parts of the brain.
- Crushing injuries to the lungs or chest, which alter blood flow or impede the body's ability to oxygenate blood.
- Exposure to toxins – lead, paint-related compounds, benzene, organic solvents, chemicals released from wood or chemical fires, and toxins produced by certain viruses and bacteria can all cause head injury.
- Head and neck trauma – car accidents, blows to the head, slip-and-fall accidents, whiplash incidents (where the head or neck is swiveled rapidly, causing the brain to internally tear or contort) can all have traumatic and dangerous outcomes.
- Throat-related problems – these include choking, strangulation, swelling of the air passages, and obstruction of the throat or airway.
How Do You Respond to an Oakland Brain Injury?
In the wake of an Oakland traumatic brain injury, you may not have the mental capacity to act in your best interests. In addition to needing prompt medical attention, you may also need legal help to hold a person or party responsible for putting you in a dangerous situation, choking you, or exposing you to toxic compounds that resulted in your brain injury.
Connect today with the compassionate Oakland traumatic brain injury attorneys at Estey & Bomberger, LLP for a free and confidential consultation. Call (800) 610-1892 today to schedule a free consultation.