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Types of Traumatic Brain Injuries in Columbia, MO

Head injuries are among the most serious forms of physical trauma a person can suffer. Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) can range in severity depending on the nature of the accident and the extent of the inflicted damage but are often at least partially debilitating and can significantly impact your daily life. If you have recently suffered a TBI and have questions or concerns related to the different types of traumatic brain injuries, reach out to a Columbia, MO attorney as soon as possible for help.

Categories of Head Trauma

Just as there is a wide range of accidents and events that can lead to a TBI, there are several different types of head injuries that all have their own symptoms and may require unique forms of treatment. The most common types of traumatic brain injuries in Columbia TBI cases include:

  • Primary traumatic brain injuries
  • Secondary traumatic brain injuries
  • Anoxic brain injuries
  • Hypoxic brain injuries

Primary Traumatic Brain Injury

Primary traumatic brain injuries occur during the initial impact or contact to the head that resulted in the displacement of the brain’s physical structures. These injuries are the most direct effects of a TBI and can include skull fractures, contusions, lacerations and concussions.

Secondary Traumatic Brain Injury

A secondary TBI is an indirect result of the original injury. These ailments include hemorrhaging, strokes, meningitis and epilepsy. Secondary traumatic brain injuries often result from complications from the initial injury and may not be apparent immediately after the incident, so it can be important to watch for signs of the different types of secondary injuries as a precaution.

Anoxic Brain Injury

An anoxic brain injury is a type of a TBI that is not usually caused by a blow to the head, but instead occurs when the brain is completely deprived of oxygen for a certain amount of time, usually several minutes. This type of injury causes the death of brain cells and the most severe instances cause the injured person to enter a comatose state.

Hypoxic Brain Injury

While anoxic brain injuries totally cut off the brain’s oxygen supply, hypoxic brain injuries restrict the brain’s access to oxygen. The symptoms of this type of brain injury are similar to those of anoxic brain injuries and can range from slurred speech to seizures.

Neurological and Psychological Effects

A variety of neurological and psychological conditions may also result from traumatic brain injuries, including post-traumatic stress disorder, a lack of cognitive or analytical thought, or emotional difficulties.

Understanding the Types of TBIs

It is important for an injured person to fully understand the type of brain injury they have suffered, especially if they wish to pursue a case for damages against a negligent party. The extent of their symptoms and the newfound limitations that the TBI has imposed on their life should be well-documented so that an attorney at AW Smith Law Firm can help them make a compelling case for compensation. Not every type of brain injury will be treated the same in a lawsuit, so it may be wise for the injured party to consult legal counsel soon after they have received their diagnosis.

Let a Columbia Attorney Help You Build a Claim Tailored to Your Type of Brain Injury

A severe brain injury can upend your life and leave you feeling helpless and overwhelmed, but if your accident was the fault of someone else, you may be eligible to file a lawsuit. A skilled lawyer in Columbia who is familiar with the different types of traumatic brain injuries could help you properly assess the nature and the extent of your suffering to determine the appropriate amount of damages. Call an attorney at AW Smith Law Firm today to learn more.