People in Washington can sustain brain injuries for many different reasons. When a brain injury is severe, the long-term effects can be devastating. Many people lose cognitive functioning to the point where they can no longer do the type of work that they had been doing. Here are five things that can cause a brain injury.
Head trauma
Head trauma is the most common cause of brain injuries. When a person is physically attacked or involved in a car accident, they can sustain severe brain trauma when their brain hits the inside of their skull. Falls and blows to the head are other forms of head trauma that can cause brain injuries.
Degenerative condition
Some degenerative neurological conditions like Alzheimer’s disease and multiple sclerosis can cause long-term brain injuries. Other conditions that can cause brain injuries include Parkinson’s disease and Huntington’s disease.
Medical event
An acute medical event like a stroke, aneurysm, or infection can cause a long-term brain injury. There are also diseases such as meningitis that can permanently injure the brain.
Lack of oxygen
In medical terminology, a period of reduced oxygen is called hypoxia. Hypoxia can cause permanent brain damage if it is sustained for a long enough period. Suffocation, strangulation, and choking are a few examples of hypoxic events that could cause long-term brain damage.
Poisoning
Poisoning from excessive amounts of alcohol, drugs or other toxins can cause permanent brain damage. Exposure to too much carbon monoxide, which is an odorless and colorless gas, can also cause brain damage.
Filing a personal injury claim for a brain injury
If you suffered from a brain injury after an accident or medical event caused by another person’s carelessness, you may decide to pursue compensation from the negligent party. In your personal injury case, you may be able to claim compensation for all medical expenses, including future rehabilitation costs, that are a result of the injury.