Understanding Medical Terms: Traumatic Brain Injuries - JLG

Anoxic Brain Injury

An anoxic brain injury occurs when the brain does not receive any oxygen. Drowning, electrical shock, choking, strokes, heart attacks, toxins, disease, and extremely high altitudes can cause anoxia. The long-term prognosis is entirely dependent on how much time the brain was deprived of oxygen.

Brain Contusion

Brain contusions are traumatic brain injuries that are usually caused by a blow to the head. This type of brain injury could occur as a result of a personal injury accident, such as a slip and fall, a car accident, a motorcycle accident, a bicycle accident, or a pedestrian accident. Brain contusions result when the brain slams against the sharp ridges on the interior of the skull which results in a bruise to the brain tissue.

Closed Head Brain Injury 

A closed-head brain injury is a traumatic brain injury caused by a blow to the head or a violent motion that then causes the brain to slam against the inside of the skull. Closed-head brain injuries can be classified as focal, meaning the damage is limited to one discrete area of the brain. Alternatively, they can be diffuse, meaning that they affect brain cells and tissues throughout the brain. The prognosis for a closed-head injury is dependent on the severity of the damage.

Concussion

A concussion is a mild form of traumatic brain injury. Concussions alter the manner in which the brain functions. These alterations are sometimes temporary, but recent studies have shown that concussions can cause permanent brain damage and emotional issues. A concussion is usually caused by a blow to the head, but it can also be caused by a violent shaking of the head and upper body. Whiplash-type injuries suffered in a rear-end car collision have been known to be accompanied by concussion symptoms.

Coup-Contrecoup Brain Injury

Coup-Contrecoup is a traumatic brain injury. It is essentially a brain contusion that has brain bruising both at the site of the impact and on the complete opposite side of the brain.

Depressed Skull Fracture

A depressed skull fracture is a break in a cranial bone (or “crushed” portion of the skull) with depression of the bone toward the brain. A skull fracture will be accompanied by a concussion or other more serious injuries to the brain. Depressed skull fractures often result from a severe impact on the head, such as those experienced in car accidents, falls, or blunt force trauma.

In such incidents, the force of the impact can drive bone fragments inward. Then, this creates a compound fracture where the skin is broken and the bone is splintered. This type of fracture not only poses risks of brain injury but also increases the likelihood of infection due to the open wound. Immediate medical attention is crucial for treatment and recovery.

Diffuse Axonal Injury

A diffuse axonal injury occurs when the brain moves inside the skull tearing nerves and other brain structures. The easiest situation in which to imagine a diffuse axonal injury is shaken baby syndrome. However, diffuse axonal injuries can be caused by a car accident. The long-term prognosis of a person suffering a diffuse axonal injury depends upon the area of the brain affected. Permanent impairments are to be expected.

Hypoxic Brain Injury

Hypoxic brain injuries occur when the brain is partially deprived of oxygen. The most common causes of hypoxia are near drowning, choking, and strangulation. The level of permanent damage is dependent upon the time at which the brain was deprived of oxygen.

Linear Skull Fracture

A linear skull fracture is a break in a cranial bone resembling a thin line, without splintering, depression, or distortion of bone. A skull fracture will be accompanied by a concussion or other more serious damage to the brain.

Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

A mild traumatic brain injury is classified as an injury that results in a loss of consciousness and/or confusion/disorientation that lasts for a period of less than 30 minutes. Even though it is called a mild TBI, the long-lasting and permanent effects on the injured person and their family can be truly devastating.

Moderate Traumatic Brain Injury

A moderate traumatic brain injury is a term used when a person experiences changes in brain function for longer than a few minutes following trauma. Symptoms may be similar to a mild TBI, but the symptoms do not go away or may even get worse.

Open Head Brain Injury

As the name implies, an open-head brain injury, sometimes called a penetrating brain injury, results when an object penetrates the brain. An easy example of an open-head brain injury is a gunshot to the head. However, open head wounds can occur as a result of a slip and fall, a car accident, a motorcycle accident, a bicycle accident, or a pedestrian accident.

In an accident situation, it will likely be caused by a blow to the head and be called a skull fracture, in which a piece of the skull bone penetrates the brain. Survivors of an open-head injury are very likely to have long-term cognitive losses and other medical issues such as post-traumatic epilepsy.

Severe Traumatic Brain Injury

A severe traumatic brain injury results from a trauma in which a person lost consciousness for more than 30 minutes and they also have a Glasgow Coma Score between 9 and 12. Severe brain injuries will cause permanent cognitive impairments, as well as issues with vision, speech, and hearing. Emotional disorders are also common effects of severe traumatic brain injuries.

The Glasgow Coma Scale is a testing tool medical professionals use to evaluate the seriousness of traumatic brain injuries. The medical professionals evaluate the level of consciousness on a scale of 3 to 15. A score of 3 is profoundly unconscious, while 15 is normal.

Skull Fracture

The skull is very sturdy and consists of 8 bones which protect the brain. However, the impact of a fall, car accident, motorcycle accident, bicycle accident, or pedestrian accident can break the skull. A simple fracture is a break in the bone without damage to the skin. However, a serious skull fracture can be accompanied by a concussion or other more serious injuries to the brain.

Traumatic Brain Injury

A traumatic brain injury is an injury to the brain which causes either temporary or permanent changes in the manner in which the brain functions. It can range from a classification of mild to severe.

How Jones Law Group Florida Personal Injury Attorneys Can Help 

When a traumatic brain injury occurs due to someone else’s negligence, navigating the legal aftermath can be overwhelming. Jones Law Group has experienced personal injury lawyers who are dedicated to advocating for your rights and ensuring you receive the support and compensation you deserve. 

Our team is committed to guiding you through every step of the legal process with personalized attention and expertise.

• Comprehensive Case Evaluation: We thoroughly assess the details of your accident to build a strong case. That also includes gathering and analyzing all relevant evidence.
• Expert Legal Guidance: Our attorneys explain complex legal terms and procedures. Therefore, you can understand each phase of your case and feel empowered to make informed decisions.
• Negotiation with Insurance Companies: We handle communications with insurance companies. That means advocating for a fair settlement that covers medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages.
• Access to Medical Experts: Through our network, we connect you with medical professionals who can provide critical evaluations and testimonies to strengthen your claim.
• Courtroom Representation: When negotiations fail, our skilled litigators will represent you in court. Our team will present your case compellingly. Additionally, we will protect your rights throughout the trial.
• No Upfront Fees: We operate on a contingency fee basis. Therefore, you pay nothing unless we win your case, allowing you to focus on recovery without financial stress.

Have you or a loved one been injured in an accident? Contact an experienced St. Petersburg personal injury law firm today. When you contact our office we will immediately set an appointment where you will meet your attorney and be provided with their personal contact information. If you don’t have transportation or you cannot drive, your attorney will travel to discuss your case with you.

Book a Free Case Evaluation to Get Expert Insight into Your Brain Injury Claim

If you or a loved one has been injured as a result of a slip and fall, a car accident, a motorcycle accident, a bicycle accident, or a pedestrian accident, you should immediately call an experienced personal injury attorney in St. Petersburg at Jones Law Group. We are here to help you recover compensation for the lasting consequences of traumatic brain injuries.

Reach us at (727) 571-1333 during regular business hours or (727) 753-8657 on weekends or after regular business hours. We will evaluate your case for free. You will never pay us a dime unless we recover compensation for your injuries.

Jones Law Group
5622 Central Avenue
St. Pete, FL 33707