Types of Brain Injuries

Washington State Traumatic Brain Injury Attorneys

Brain injuries are referred to by a variety of terms, including mild brain injuries, traumatic brain injuries (TBI), closed head injuries, and open head injuries. All these terms can be confusing when all a person wants is the resources necessary to move forward with his or her life.

Helping our Clients Understand Brain Injuries

At Keith S. Douglass & Associates, LLP in Spokane, Washington, we are committed to helping our clients understand brain injuries and helping them optimize their physical and financial recovery. Not all brain injures are the same and the terms used to describe brain injuries can be confusing. Some of the common terms used to describe brain injuries include:

• Coup-contrecoup injury - This injury occurs when a blow to the head is severe enough to cause the brain to impact the skull on the opposite site of the head from the causal impact.
• Diffuse Axonal Injury - This can result when the skull rotates faster than the brain. It can result in shearing or tearing of nerve tissues and chemical releases by the brain. This type of brain injury is common in car accidents.
• Second Impact Syndrome - This refers to people that suffer a second head injury prior to another brain injury healing. This can happen when a traumatic brain injury goes undiagnosed. Second brain injuries, even when less severe, can have more serious consequences then the original injury.
• Penetrating injury - This type of injury results when an object penetrates the skull and enters the brain. Penetration injuries often result in severe damage as a result of the shearing, stretching, and rupture of brain tissue. Damage can be further enhanced by hair, skin, and bone fragments entering the damage area.
• Concussion - This is the most common type of brain injury. A concussion can result from any blow to the head and can take years to heal.
• Contusion - This type of injury results in bleeding or a bruise to the brain. Contusions may require surgery to repair.

To discuss the details of a traumatic brain injury, please contact a personal injury attorney at our law firm today.

Contact Keith S. Douglass & Associates, LLP for a free consultation.