Brain injuries come in different types and severity, and each one is unique. Many people in Tennessee and elsewhere do not realize that a concussion is a traumatic brain injury that can have long-term health consequences. Catastrophic brain injuries can damage to one or various functional areas of the brain, and the level of damage will determine whether the concussion heals in months or years.
The sudden movement and momentum change of the brain inside the skull causes the damage. During the whiplash movement, such as that caused by many rear-end accidents, the brain smashes into the walls of the skull. This causes damaging tears to cranial nerves and makes the blood vessels stretch. The victim can lose consciousness or just feel dazed, in which case the severity might be underestimated. Bleeding on the brain or swelling can follow, even without a penetration wound, and such complications could be fatal.
When the nerve tissue tears, it typically disrupts the normal chemical and communication processes of the brain. The location of the torn nerves will determine how widespread the brain damage is. It will also determine the level and types of functional impairments the injury caused. While some victims live with the consequences for the rest of their lives, others can go it a coma or die.
Determining the monetary value of the damages caused by catastrophic injuries is challenging and complicated. Anyone in Tennessee who suffered such injuries as the result of another party’s negligence might have grounds to pursue claims through the civil justice system. This is a complicated field of the law, and it will be sensible to retain the services of an experienced personal injury attorney to assist throughout ensuing legal proceedings.
