Brain Injury
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What is Brain Injury?
Brain injury can be severe or mild. Regardless of the form, brain injury may be the worse type of injury a person can suffer. It can result in permanent neurobiological and structural damage that may produce lifelong deficits in one’s cognition, speech and language, sensory perception, psychological health, and everyday functioning. But even milder forms of brain injury, such as a concussion, can cause substantial difficulties or impairments that can last a lifetime.
If you or your family suffers from a brain injury, you should seek medical help immediately and contact our firm. |
Teresa Li, Esq.
Super Lawyers Rising Stars Top Attorneys Rising Stars by San Francisco Magazine Top Women Attorneys in Northern California |
Types of Brain Injury
Traumatic Brain Injury
A traumatic brain injury ("TBI") occurs when an external force changes the function or pathology of the brain. This causes the brain to move within the skull, stretching and tearing vital parts of the brain in the process. TBI can occur in a car accident, truck accident, motorcycle accident, bicycle accident, physical violence, sports injury, or any severe blow to the head. The effects of TBI can be profound. Individuals with severe injuries can be left in long-term unresponsive states. For many people with severe TBI, long-term rehabilitation is often necessary to maximize function and independence. Even with mild TBI, the consequences to a person’s life can be dramatic. Change in brain function can have a dramatic impact on family, job, social and community interaction. Coup-Contracoup Injury
A Coup-Contrecoup Injury occurs when the force impacting the head is strong enough to cause the brain to slam into the opposite side of the skull. This usually occurs when someone experiences severe whiplash. Penetrating Head Injury
Penetrating head injuries occur from the impact of a sharp object, such as a bullet, knife, or other flying fragment that penetrates the brain. This is an extremely serious injury that many, unfortunately, don’t survive. Acquired Brain Injury
Acquired Brain Injury is caused by events after birth. The injury occurs at the cellular level in the brain. It can result in cognitive, physical, behavioral, emotional impairments that lead to permanent or temporary change in functioning. It can occur in near drowning experience, trauma to the head or neck, electrical shock, heart attack, infectious disease, exposure to toxic agent, and metabolic disorder. |
Diffuse Axonal Injury
A Diffuse Axonal Injury occurs when the unmoving brain lags behind the movement of the skull and causes the brain structures to tear. The tearing of the nerve tissue disrupts the brain communication and chemical processes. This disturbance in the brain would cause brain damage or death. There are specific areas that will shear connections within the brain substance that are indicative of a diffuse axonal injury. This often occurs in car accident or other high-impact accident. Concussion
Concussion is the most common type of traumatic brain injury. It can be caused by direct damage to the head, gunshot wounds, violent shaking of the head, or force from a whiplash type injury. A concussion is caused when the brain receives trauma from an impact or a sudden momentum or movement change. The blood vessels in the brain may stretch, and cranial nerves may be damaged. Because the healing process can take from months to years, sometimes it is difficult for the victims to realize that he or she has suffered a concussion or any secondary injury caused by concussion. Locked in Syndrome
Locked in Syndrome is a neurological condition wherein the person is unable to physically move any part of the body except the eyes, even though the person is still conscious and able to think. Secondary Injury
Secondary Injury also is called Second Impact Syndrome. It occurs when a person sustains a second traumatic brain injury before the symptoms of the first traumatic brain injury have healed. The second injury may occur from days to weeks following the first, and is more likely to cause brain swelling and widespread damage. |
Law Offices of Teresa Li, PC
Law Offices of Teresa Li, PC is a San Francisco boutique law firm that has extensive experience in representing victims of brain injury in civil lawsuits. We are very selective in our cases and have the skills and resources required for success. We have a team of private investigators and medical experts who will provide key expert opinions that will increase your chance of success. In the event of a successful resolution, we have a team of financial advisors who will work with you to protect your financial interest.