Traumatic Brain Injury
Posted by
Scott SmithMay 12, 2007 10:10 AMTraumatic brain injury (TBI) is the term used to describe the damage to the brain suffered as a result of a sudden physical force. The human brain consists of billions of microscopic fibers, suspended in cerebrospinal fluid. While the exterior skull is smooth, the inner surface contains ribbing and pronounced bony structures. Impact with these inner surfaces of the skull causes tearing and bruising that results in brain damage.
Injuries occur when momentum of the brain causes it to impact against a skull that has been decelerated. Typically, TBI is caused by the impact of the head with an object, such as when hitting a windshield or the dashboard of a car. However, TBI can also occur without direct physical contact to the head such as in several acceleration deceleration when the head is whipped forward and backward. TBI can also occur without fracture to the skull or even a laceration. In such cases, the injury is considered to be a closed head injury. Closed head injury also may occur when the brain undergoes a severe forward and backward shaking, such as with infants who are mishandled or in cases involving whiplash suffered during an automobile accident. TBI can also be caused by a penetrating brain injury, whereby an object such as a bullet penetrates through the skull and into the brain. Closed head injuries present unique challenges in litigation since they often will demonstrate no obvious external symptoms of injury, even though the damage to the brain can be severe. TBI does not refer to brain injuries or defects that are hereditary, congenital or degenerative, or induced by birth trauma, toxic substances or disease-producing organisms.
In cases involving Traumatic Brain Injury, it is essential that measures be taken promptly to persevere evidence, prove the nature and extent of your injures and enable expert medical witnesses to support the cause of your injuries. If you or a loved on has suffered what you believe to be a traumatic brain injury from an accident, call Smith Phillips - Trial Lawyers at 614-846-1700 or 1-888-311 LAWS (1-888-311-5297)
The above is not legal advice. That can only come from a qualified attorney who is familiar with all the facts and circumstances of a particular, specific case and the relevant law.