Head injuries can be extremely serious due to the little we know about the brain. While doctors and researchers are learning more and more each day due to diagnostic tools and imaging, we still do not have the capacity to treat many brain injuries. This is why head injuries are one of the most prevalent causes of disability and even death in adults.
Adults can suffer from head injuries because of a variety of different accidents. Slips and falls, falls from heights, being struck by hard or penetrating objects, construction site accidents, vehicle crashes, and abuse, among others, can all contribute to head injuries.
There are some ways by which you can protect yourself, such as wearing helmets while riding bicycles, motorcycles, and horses or while on a dangerous job site, such as a roof. Additionally, being aware of your situation, such as icy winter conditions or slippery wet bathroom floors, can help keep you safe from a slip and fall.
Types of Head Injuries
Many degrees of severity for head trauma exist. While most people have suffered from a small bump on the head at some point, there are other head injuries that are much worse. Head injuries can include:
- Lacerations
- Contusions (bruises)
- Concussions
- Skull fractures
- Intracranial hematomas
A potential concern with head trauma is that a simple bump on the head can cause internal damage. This is due to a phenomenon called coup-countercoup. At the site of the original trauma, the area of the brain underneath that spot on the skull can suffer from a coup lesion. Then, the impact momentum can cause the brain to slide in the skull and crash into the bone at the opposite side of the original trauma. This is known as the countercoup lesion. Coup-countercoup can lead to tearing of the brain lining, as well as internal bleeding, bruising, and swelling of the brain.
Head injuries are frightening because they can lead to permanent disability and even death. If you or someone you know has suffered from a personal injury that lead to head trauma, you should speak to a lawyer about financial compensation from the guilty party.
Contact Us
For more information regarding your potential personal injury case, contact the experienced Oklahoma personal injury lawyers of the Abel Law Firm today by calling (405) 239-7046.
