Washington D.C. has among the highest recorded instances of head injury cases and fatalities in the nation. Many of these may have been avoided if proper caution and action had been taken early.
Throughout our lives we have all experienced headaches, dizziness, or the occasional forgetful moment without fearing those symptoms were caused by brain trauma. Generally, we have thought these problems as no big deal, and we’ve either carried on despite them or just taken a few aspirins and gone to bed. However, under the right circumstances these symptoms could be the warning signs of serious brain injury.
Most brain-related fatalities are caused when the blood flow to the brain is decreased, limiting essential oxygen circulation and increasing the chance of brain damage and death. This can be caused in two different ways: external trauma and internal trauma.
What is External Brain Trauma?
External trauma can lead to swelling of the brain, which puts pressure on the blood vessels, cutting off the oxygen supply. This swelling can be caused by:
- A recent accident where you hit your head
- Falling on or hitting the neck or head
- Shaken baby syndrome
- Bullet or knife injury to the head, neck or spine
What is Internal Brain Trauma?
Internal trauma prevents blood flow from reaching the brain. Examples include:
- Stroke (blood clot preventing flow)
- Internal bleeding
- Cardiac arrest (preventing the heart from pumping)
- Internal swelling
Any one of these issues could result in severe—and possibly fatal—brain trauma. Therefore, if you believe or are unsure that your symptoms are serious, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible.
The Brain Injury Lawyers at Shevlin Smith Can Help
After you have obtained medical attention and have determined whether you or a loved one suffered brain trauma, you may need legal advice if the injuries are the result of someone’s reckless or negligent behavior. Don’t get stuck paying the enormous medical bills for treating a brain injury when someone else rightfully should be paying. Contact the Virginia brain injury lawyers at Shevlin Smith for a free consultation. Please give us a call today at 703-634-7350