Utah Penetrating Brain Injury Lawyer
A penetrating brain injury can be defined as something that has pierced the skull causing injury to the brain. In other words, an object has penetrated the skull and hit the brain causing damage. Penetrating brain injury is considered an open brain injury, the brain could be exposed and the skull may be cracked.
If you or a loved one is a victim of this type of injury, our brain injury attorney in Utah can help you recover compensations from someone else’s negligent actions.
Table of Contents
Causes of a Penetrating Brain Injury
Penetrating the brain can be caused by an external force or object; this may include:
- Fall (could cause of piece of the skull to penetrate the brain)
- Car accident
- Gunshot wound to the head
- Stab would to the head
- Sports-related injury
People who are at risk for such an injury could be people who abuse drugs or alcohol, the elderly, players of high-contact sports, or persons in a violent environment.
Symptoms of a Penetrating Brain Injury
Symptoms can vary depending on the severity of the injury and what exactly happened during the incident. Here are a few symptoms to look for, other than the obvious (something sticking out of the skull):
- Heavy bleeding from the head
- Bleeding from the ears
- Difficulty breathing
- Seizures
- Loss of bowel and bladder function
- Loss of movement or sensation in the limbs
- Loss of consciousness or coma
Treatment of a Penetrating Brain Injury
Most treatments for brain injuries will depend on the brain injury itself. There are many factors that will determine the treatment and recovery of the patient. Since penetrating brain injuries imply there is something lodged into the brain, the main priority is seeking medical attention for the removal of the object. It is important to note that this should be done by a medical professional. Removing the object yourself may cause further damage or injury to the brain or to the surrounding areas of the wound. Surgery will most likely be needed in these cases and should be taken very seriously by those who are around to help the victim immediately following the accident. Once the object is removed from the skull (the bullet, object, piece of the skull, etc) the doctors will be able to assess the damage that has occurred to the brain. They will be able to repair what they can from the path of the object that entered into the brain. Depending on what was damaged, the victim may need therapy to regain normal brain functions. The victim may also suffer from cognitive and physical problems as a result of the damage to the brain. They may not be able to remember simple things or may forget altogether. They may also lose normal physical functions such as knowing how to talk or how to perform simple tasks. Again, all of these treatments and long-term disabilities will depend on the severity of the injury. If you or someone you know have suffered from a penetrating brain injury due to someone else’s negligence, contact a personal injury attorney in Utah for a free confidential consultation by calling (801) 506-0800. Our competent and knowledgeable lawyers may be able to get you the compensation that you deserve for the pain and suffering that you have endured.
Image courtesy of John Martyn Harlow and Wikimedia Commons. The image is in the public domain.
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