A person might seem perfectly normal after experiencing a brain injury, but it can take a long time for cognitive issues to surface. The individual may return to work and discover that it is difficult to concentrate and stay on task. If a professional with the skill to diagnose brain injury doesn’t correctly treat it, returning to a normal life might not be possible.
In general, there are two kinds of brain injuries. The first is known as congenital. These types of injuries usually occur before or during birth. The second type is acquired. This can occur for a number of reasons including lack of oxygen, head trauma, stroke, disease or tumors. The severity of the disabilities varies depending on what the part of the brain that is damaged. Physical changes are more noticeable than cognitive changes, so the latter type of change may be harder to diagnose. The person with the injury may not even be aware of the change.
Traumatic brain injury is the most serious type of acquired brain affliction. It usually results from an injury to the head such as an automobile accident, a gunshot wound or a fall. The injury may be at the point of impact or the opposite side since the brain can rebound against the other side of the skull in these types of injuries. The affliction may be obvious at the moment of impact, or the affliction can occur over time from bleeding and swelling.
People who suffered brain injuries may want to allow Colorado, Oklahoma and Wyoming medical malpractice lawyers to review the facts of their cases. It may be possible to work out settlements that allow for proper rehabilitation.
Source: Alameda Sun, “March is Brain Injury Awareness Month.” Shirley Wheatland and Matthew Harris, March 15, 2013