Chicago Head Injury Lawyer - Article

Types of Head Injuries

Although the term “head injury” is often associated with brain damage, it actually refers to trauma to any part of the head, including the scalp and skull, as well as the brain. Head injuries are a relatively rare problem, affecting only about 0.3% of the US population every year, but when they do occur they can be very serious.

Head injuries can include fractured skulls, hemorrhage (internal bleeding), hematomas (internal bruises) and concussions (temporary problems with brain functions). One especially severe form of head injury is known as diffuse axonal injury (DAI). Unlike most forms of head injury, it is not caused by direct trauma to the skull. It is actually caused by a sudden acceleration or deceleration of the head, which may occur during a car accident, long fall, or assault. This amount of force can actually create lesions in brain matter. DAI rarely directly causes death, but often results in comas from which 90% of sufferers never regain consciousness.

Some of the most common causes of all head injuries are:

• Traffic Accidents
• Assault / Physical Violence
• Slip and Fall Accidents
• Sports Injuries

Children are especially susceptible to permanent damage and even death following a head injury. Long-term damage resulting from head injuries is usually some type of brain damage. It can include memory loss, impaired cognitive functioning, dementia pugilistica (being “punch-drunk”), sudden changes in personality, coma, and sometimes death. People who suffer from head injuries and their families sometimes face severe financial losses due to loss of wages and medical expenses.

If you or a loved one has suffered a brain injury or head injury due to someone else’s negligent or malicious behavior, you will need an experienced Chicago personal injury lawyer to help you win compensation for your personal and financial losses. Contact Chicago head injury lawyers Friedman and Bonebrake, P.C., at (312) 466-8200.