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Brain or Spinal Cord Injury

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What Causes Brain Injury?

Comedians like to poke great fun at the image of taking a bump on the head; however, Kansas City brain injury victims know that a bump on the head is no laughing matter. Brain injuries can be caused by differing internal and external causes.

Accidents

Trauma to the brain can cause severe brain injuries when an outside force strikes the head. Motor vehicle accidents are common cause of brain injury. In the most obvious cases, contusions and loss of consciousness signal that a major brain injury has occurred. In some cases, the outward signs are not so apparent. The brain injury may go unnoticed and untreated for some length of time.

Accidents can also cause brain injuries without blunt trauma. When a force of motion causes sudden movement of the brain, the brain and the skull can move at two different velocities causing whiplash injuries. Bruising the delicate brain tissue is a common complication. Additionally, bleeding and tearing of soft tissues, nerves, and blood vessels can occur.

Other common causes of brain injuries include the following:

1. Slips and falls
2. Injuries incurred during sporting events and practices
3. Acts of violence
4. Explosions

Lack of oxygen

Lack of an adequate oxygen supply to the brain for an extended period of time is another potential cause of brain injury. Anoxic brain injury, or injury caused by oxygen deprivation, can be caused by a variety of incidents. Near drowning accidents, acute asthma attack, stroke, and blood loss may each cut off oxygen to the brain.

Medical errors can lead to anoxic brain injury as well. Brain injuries of this type are very preventable. Mistakes in medication dosage, undiagnosed stroke symptoms, or mistakes in anesthesia dosing may cut adequate blood and oxygen flow to the brain with tragic results.

Missing important stroke symptoms can rob the patient of precious time and may lead to brain injuries. Strokes reduce the flow of blood to the brain and may release chemicals that can kill brain cells. Immediate action is therefore necessary to prevent brain injury.

Brain Infections

Brain injuries can also be caused by serious brain infections. Unless found and treated early, the effects of these infections can be permanent and debilitating. Brain infections include:

1. Encephalitis
2. Myelitis and meningitis, viral and bacterial
3. Brain abscess
4. Mumps and rubella
5. Rabies
6. Trichinosis, toxoplasmosis
7. Cysticercosis

Birth injuries

Brain injuries can be an unfortunate (and sometimes preventable) result of certain birth injuries. Sometimes, medical errors can be the cause of brain injury. These errors may include the following:

1. Inadequate response to signs of fetal distress, including failure to perform a timely cesarean section
2. Use of instruments for delivery, including forceps and vacuum extractor
3. Missed diagnosis of maternal health issues
4. Medication mistakes
5. Failure to use oxygen for newborns when necessary

If you or a loved one have suffered a brain injury as the result of a medical error or someone else's negligence, the Kansas City medical malpractice lawyers at Kansas City Accident Injury Attorneys offer a no obligation free consultation. Call 888-348-2616 for more information and download your free copy of our resource guide The Truth About Medical Malpractice Claims.

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• Posted on 12/26/2011Student Athletes Discussing How Concussions Affect Them Can Help Student Athletes in Kansas and Missouri
• Posted on 11/16/2011NCAA Faces Lawsuit Alleging Lack of Protection for Athletes from Head Injury

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Brain or Spinal Cord Injury

• A severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) can result in permanent and total inability to function. Can a mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) also have serious consequences?

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