Brain Injury

Traumatic Brain Injury

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) occurs when a sudden trauma causes damage to the brain. TBI can result when the head suddenly and violently jolts resulting in brain damage, hits an object, or when an object pierces the skull and enters brain tissue. Symptoms of a Traumatic Brain Injuries may be mild, moderate, or severe, depending on the extent of the damage to the brain. A person with a mild TBI may remain conscious or may experience a loss of consciousness for a brief period of time.

The four most common causes of a traumatic brain injury are falls, motor vehicle-traffic crashes, instances of being struck by or against another object and assaults.

Types of Brain Injuries include


Open Head Brain Injury
An open head brain injury, also called a penetrating brain injury is characterized by a break in the skull bone. A bullet wound or a sharp object piercing the skull is a primary example of an open head brain injury.

Closed Head Brain Injury
This type of injury frequently occurs as a result of the slamming back and forth of the brain inside the skull and is signified by the bruising and/or tearing of blood vessels and tissues. More specifically, a closed brain injury is one in which the injuries are completely internal and do not penetrate the skull bone.

Deceleration Injuries
An abrupt stop in movement causes your skull to stop, but your brain continues to travel in that direction until it slams into the inner wall of your skull. An accident such as this results in direct brain injury, due to individual nerve cell damage, bruising and brain swelling.

Hypoxia (Lack of Oxygen)
Cerebral hypoxia refers to a decrease of oxygen supplied to the brain even though there is adequate blood flow. Drowning, strangling, choking, suffocation, cardiac arrest, head trauma, carbon monoxide poisoning, and complications of general anesthesia can create conditions that can lead to cerebral hypoxia.

Infections
The brain and surrounding membranes are very prone to infections if the special blood-brain protective system is breached. Viruses and bacteria can cause serious and life-threatening diseases of the brain such as meningitis.

The impact of a moderate to severe brain injury can include:


Cognitive deficits including difficulties with:
  • Attention
  • Concentration
  • Distractibility
  • Memory
  • Speed of Processing
  • Confusion
  • Perseveration
  • Impulsiveness
  • Language Processing
  • "Executive functions" - planning, abstract thinking, initiating appropriate actions, or inhibiting inappropriate actions

Speech and Language
  • not understanding the spoken word
  • difficulty speaking and being understood
  • slurred speech
  • speaking very fast or very slow
  • problems reading
  • problems writing

Sensory
  • difficulties with interpretation of touch, temperature, movement, limb position and fine discrimination

Perceptual
  • the integration or patterning of sensory impressions into psychologically meaningful data

Vision
  • partial or total loss of vision
  • weakness of eye muscles and double vision
  • blurred vision
  • problems judging distance
  • involuntary eye movements
  • intolerance of light

Hearing
  • decrease or loss of hearing
  • ringing in the ears
  • increased sensitivity to sounds

Smell
  • loss or diminished sense of smell

Taste
  • loss or diminished sense of taste

Seizures
  • the convulsions associated with epilepsy that can be several types and can involve disruption in consciousness, sensory perception, or motor movements

Physical Changes
  • Physical paralysis/spasticity
  • Chronic pain
  • Control of bowel and bladder
  • Sleep disorders
  • Loss of stamina
  • Appetite changes
  • Regulation of body temperature
  • Menstrual difficulties

Social-Emotional
  • Dependent behaviors
  • Emotional ability
  • Lack of motivation
  • Irritability
  • Aggression
  • Depression
  • Disinhibition
  • Denial/lack of awareness

Contact our Wisconsin Brain Injury Attorneys


Few things are more challenging physically, emotionally or financially than having a loved one suffer a traumatic brain injury. At Pitman, Kyle & Sicula, we understand how devastating and emotionally difficult times like this can be. We fight for recoveries that enable families to pursue the best possible care and quality of life for their loved one impacted by a brain injury. When we commit to a case, we work with a team of investigators, medical experts, and other attorneys to find the truth surrounding the accident, and make sure justice is served. At our law firm, each client receives personalized attention and compassionate care.

If you are in need of a Wisconsin brain injury attorney, contact Pitman, Kyle & Sicula, S.C. today for your free consultation at (800) 950-9882.

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