TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY LAWYER
IN MICHIGAN 

A concussion must never be ignored and warrants immediate medical attention. Post-concussion syndrome can significantly inhibit your ability to perform tasks and may interfere with your job functions. We often see the incidence of concussion either ignored or overlooked by attorneys and physicians who opt to focus on the more obvious and readily apparent orthopedic injuries. This negligence can result in medical malpractice. 

Most individuals with concussions recover after a short to a reasonable period aided by rest. Neurologists often play a crucial role in assisting a patient with the post-concussive syndrome in both the evaluation and treatment of minor mental health and cognitive issues. Diagnosis of post-concussion syndrome is based on the patient’s history of head trauma, results of both a physical and neurological examination, and perhaps other diagnostic tests to rule out the presence of a more severe brain injury. Risk factors for post-concussive syndrome are increased by the age of the patient and the history of prior concussions.

If a second concussion occurs before the symptoms resolve from the initial concussion, second impact syndrome (SIS) can occur. The occurrence of second impact syndrome; is marked by rapid swelling of the brain, which may prove fatal. Even a minor concussion can cause secondary impact syndrome. Secondary impact syndrome often proves to be fatal and will result in a debilitating condition at a minimum.

Contusion

A contusion is a direct result of an impact to the head resulting in severe bruising or bleeding of the brain. A cerebral injury by definition is a bruise to the brain tissue. Extensive contusions often require surgery. Keep in mind that cerebral contusion can be related to blood vessel leaks and microhemorrhages. Contusions generally occur in the cortical tissue under the site where the impact took place. Contusions with edema (swelling) often require surgery to reduce intracranial pressure, which can be life-threatening or result in permanent brain damage. Contusion-related symptoms depend both on the location (sphere of the brain) of the pathology and, obviously, the severity of such. In moderate to severe contusions, the swelling is usually highest at five to six days following the trauma. This is due to the swelling of the brain tissue surrounding the site of the impact. Additionally, toxins are released due to the contusion, increasing the rate of swelling.

Coup-Contrecoup

Coup-Contrecoup is a result of two contusions on both sides of the brain. The first contusion is a result of the initial impact on the head. The second contusion is a result of the head being hit with such force that the brain slams against the other side of the skull. A coup injury occurs directly under the area of impact. A contra coup injury occurs on the side directly opposite the impact. In a coup-contrecoup brain injury, both sides of the brain are damaged.

Diffuse Axonal Injury

Diffuse Axonal Injury occurs when the brain lags behind the movement of the skull, thus tearing parts of the brain. This often is a result of an intense shaking or twisting of the head, such as a car accident. A diffuse axonal injury to the brain can cause severe problems and even death. Diffuse axonal injury is caused by shearing forces such as an acceleration-deceleration mechanism of injury akin to whiplash. This occurs when the head moves forward in a rapid manner (acceleration) and then backward or a sudden stop (deceleration). Individuals with diffuse axonal injury typically lose consciousness at the time of trauma. The back-and-forth movement of the brain disrupts the nerve cells and inhibits the ability of the cells to transmit messages.

Penetration

An injury that forces matter from the skull into the brain. It is a result of a gunshot wound, stabbing wound, or any other sharp object. Often these types of brain injuries can result in death.

Hematoma or Blood Clot

A mass of blood or pronounced swelling between the skull and the brain. In some cases, the swelling or mass of blood occurs inside the brain.

Sudden Attention to Brain Trauma

The most popular professional sports league in America, the N.F.L., has been making headlines lately for settling with a group of former players. The suit will provide them with compensation for medical bills and other needs if a player currently suffers, or later develops, a severe neurological condition as a result of repeated TBIs.

These unfortunate former football players are experiencing, for the first time, the severe effects of untreated or misdiagnosed, repeated closed head injuries. The repeated injuries have resulted in dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, Lou Gehrig’s disease, severe depression. Tragically, the suffering of our former gridiron heroes is what finally made the public pay attention to the severity of closed head injuries.