What Causes Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)? | Bellevue Seattle Traumatic Brain Injury Attorney

TBI, or traumatic brain injury, has many causes, but no cure. The United States Centers for Disease Control say that every year, about 5.3 mllion people in the U.S. live with long term disabilities stemming from TBI, around 1.5 million  suffer from a traumatic brain injury, 85,000 experience life long disability and 50,000 people die.

Many different actions can elicit TBI, but there are 8 main causes:

Open Head Injury
-Penetration to the skull, ie a bullet wound, etc.
-Focal damage

Closed Head Injury
-No penetration to the skull, ie falls, car accidents, etc.
-Along with focal damage, diffuse damage to axons

Deceleration Injuries (Diffuse Axonal Injury)
-Imagine the skull is a rock and the brain is Jell-O; the brain soft and moves at a different rate than the skull.
-As the skull comes into contact with a stationary object, the brain will move, compressing and stretching and possibly tearing the axons of the neurons in the brain, causing brain injury.

Chemical/Toxic
-Exposure to harmful chemicals, such as insecticides, carbon monoxide, etc.

Hypoxia (Lack of Oxygen)
-When blood flow is slowed or stopped to the brain, permanent brain damage can occur
-Can be caused by heart attacks, drops in blood pressure or being in a low oxygen setting

Tumors
-A tumor can take over space, creating extra pressure on the brain.

Infections
-The surrounding membranes around the brain and the brain itself are very sensitive and prone to infections.
-If a virus or bacteria  break through the blood-brain barrier, life-threatening diseases may occur.

Stroke
-Blocking blood flow or blood loss in or on the brain will result in brain dammage.

If you or someone you know suffered serious brain trauma or any kind of injury as a result of an accident, contact the Bellevue Traumatic Brain Injury Attorney at Andrew Kim Law Firm for a free consultation.  You will speak with an experienced personal injury attorney who will answer any questions you may have and help you through the claims process.  If you're in Bellevue or surround areas, call (425) 289-1990.  In Tacoma or the sound Sound, call (253) 682-2000.  You can also reach our office toll free at (800) 636-3676.