St. Louis Penetrating Brain Injury Lawyer

Penetrating Brain Injury

As one of the more serious types of traumatic brain injury (TBI), a penetrating brain injury occurs when the outer layer of the head and brain is broken or pierced by an object. A penetrating brain injury typically results after a high-velocity projectile or object of lower velocity, such as knives, or bone fragments from a skull fracture, is struck through the brain.

Logistics of Penetrating Brain Trauma

A wide range of accidents and circumstances can lead to a penetrating brain injury because with enough force, objects can penetrate the skull and damage the brain. Brain tissue is damaged in two different fashions; it is crushed at and near the initial point of entry and stretched as the object continues to transverse the brain. Penetrating brain injuries are devastating medical emergencies that can potentially end in permanent disability or death.

Symptoms and Treatment

The most common symptoms of a penetrating brain injury include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Bleeding
• Headache
• Possible loss of consciousness
• Variable symptoms related to the area of the brain injured

Treatment for a penetrating brain injury is often significant and extensive. First and foremost, a patient will be stabilized and medical professionals will work on removing the penetrating object surgically. They will then try to control any bleeding. There may be a need for rehabilitation as there is a possibility of residual functional impairments, depending on the location of the injury. The most frequently occurring problem noticed in everyday life is a headache.

Possible Ongoing or Future Issues

Although it can be difficult to predict how a patient’s mental, emotional, and physical functioning will change after suffering a penetrating brain injury, there are some common ongoing or future issues. For instance, a patient may experience decreased mental capacity and/or residual functional impairment from hypoxic injury to the brain and initial injury. Another possibility is an aneurysm formation from the trauma requiring close monitoring for potential future rupture.

Seeking Justice for Injury Victims

Our St. Louis brain injury lawyers have the legal skills and experience to build an effective case for individuals who have suffered a serious brain injury due to another’s negligence. Our attorneys are dedicated to holding negligent parties liable so that our clients can receive the medical care and attention they need to get back on their feet. Contact us today for a free consultation by calling (314) 322-8515.