Types of Head Injuries

Head injury and types of head injuries

Brain injury can result from either an outside force such as a blow to the head, or as an injury caused by another trauma such as the brain not getting enough oxygen as a result of choking.

These two types of head injury are known as traumatic brain injury and acquired brain injury.

For free and expert advice on making a head injury claim contact us free on 0800 0384 384. We are available to take your call 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

We can review your claim at no cost to you, and we can take your case on a no-win, no-fee basis which ensures that you receive 100% of the compensation that you are awarded.

About traumatic brain injury
A traumatic brain injury occurs when a person receives a blow to the head or a jolt that causes the brain to move inside the skull or even collide with the skull. For example, traumatic head injuries can result from being hit in the head or face, being violently shaken or falling and striking one's skull on the ground.

The initial injury can cause one or more of the following symptoms:

• dizziness
• headaches
• confusion
• loss of consciousness
• spinal fluid or blood leaking from the ears or nose
• vomiting
• difficulty speaking or slurred speech
• lethargy or inability to stay awake
• blurred vision or blindness
• loss of bowel control or bladder control
• coma
• paralysis
• respiratory failure

Types of traumatic brain injury

The brain injury itself can include bruising or tearing, bleeding inside the brain, skull fracture or crushing which can lead to further complications such as swelling, rising pressure, seizure or stroke.

A traumatic head injury can be classified as either 'closed' or 'open'. A closed head injury occurs when there are no external, visible signs of injury and no fractures to the skull. Closed head injuries are the most common types of traumatic brain injury. Closed brain injuries often occur in road accidents when the head moves quickly and violently forward and backward causing the brain to move. Injury may occur when the brain strikes the skull or simply because the movement damages or tears brain tissue or arteries or causes bruising. Open head injuries involve a fracture or penetration of the skull, leaving the brain exposed. Open brain injuries can occur from a gunshot wound or blunt trauma to the head. With open brain injuries, if the damage only occurs in one part of the brain, recovery may be easier.

Acquired brain injuries

An acquired brain injury results from either lack of oxygen to the brain or not enough oxygen to the brain. This can be the result of toxins stopping oxygen being used, problems with blood flow to the brain or breathing difficulties. Choking or blocking an airway, drowning, heavy bleeding, heart attack, electric shock, stroke, heavy drug and alcohol use, exposure to toxic chemicals and certain types of diseases such as meningitis, seizure disorders and AIDS can all lead to an acquired brain injury. Acquired brain injuries may be more difficult to treat because they are not limited to one area of the brain and may affect more brain functions.

Consequences of head injury

Because the brain controls so many things, head injuries can have serious repercussions which are hard to predict. Common results of brain injury include:

• poor memory
• lack of insight
• poor planning and problem solving skills
• inability to understand and communicate
• poor concentration
• poor perception, recognition and judgement
• inappropriate behaviour
• slowed responses
• lack of initiative
• loss of physical sensations
• personality changes
• loss of skills, management and day to day affairs

Even mild or moderate injuries to the brain can have quite serious effects. The effects of a concussion, the most common traumatic brain injury, can take months, if not years, to disappear - even for a mild concussion which has only minor symptoms and does not show up on physical examination.

If you or a member of your family has suffered from a head injury that was caused by someone else, and you would like to claim compensation for personal injuries, call our personal injury solicitors for a free consultation about your claim.

Head injury solicitors

For a free 'no obligation' discussion with a solicitor that specialises in head injury claims, please click here or call us free on 0800 0384 384. We are available to take your call 24 hours a day, seven days a week.