Head Injury and Its Effects

Being injured can generally be a traumatic and frustrating experience; but an injury to the head that can turn lethal.

Head injury is a term used to describe trauma or a hit to the head which may or may not cause open wounds, and can even lead to brain injuries.

Accidents, especially traffic or vehicular crashes, are the leading cause of head injuries. Sports, physical assaults, falls, lack of oxygen, aneurysm and other diseases, and electric or lightning shock are other possible causes of head injuries.

What makes head or brain injuries worrying is its effects are not immediately apparent; even the symptoms may not show up right away and may last a long time. Common symptoms of head injuries include mild or moderate headaches, dizziness, nausea, irritability, ringing in the ears, drowsiness, change in sleeping habits, and problems with recollection or concentration.

A head injury may involve the scalp, skull, brain, and its protective membranes. Common injuries include:

• Bumps: Small, sore lumps that develop after a minor impact to the head. They typically leave no lasting side effects.

• Skull fracture: Cracks in the cranium which may occur with or without brain damage. A depressed fracture is when a part of the skull is pushed inwards.

• Cerebral lacerations: Tears on the surface of the brain, which often happen after a skull fracture.

• Cerebral contusions: Bruises to the brain, resulting from a bouncing motion against opposite sides of the skull.

• Shearing: Tearing of nerve fibers and blood vessels.

• Hemorrhage: The bleeding following the injury. Hemorrhages fall under four categories: acute sub-dural, chronic sub-dural, extra-dural, and intra-cerebral.

Minor head injuries usually cause the brain to have difficulty in processing information for some time, but are not serious. However, the effects of blunt head trauma and brain injuries can be severe and normally irreversible. Depending on the cause of injury, people who suffer from this may rightfully recover compensation through filing claims with the help of the best personal injury lawyers.

• Aside from bruising, contusions may bring swelling and neurological dysfunction

• Herniation, caused by high intercranial pressure, can result to decline of consciousness

• Coma or the state of unconsciousness for indefinite period of time

• Anterograde or retrograde amnesia, or the loss of memory or period of forgetfulness

• Seizure or convulsions, which are caused by irritation to the brain swelling or bleeding

• Infection due to broken skin or skull

Severe head injuries can also lead to permanent brain damage. The victim may be entitled to a bigger amount of compensation. Remember to consult with a Los Angeles personal injury attorney if that’s the case.


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