Head Injury: Basics of Its Physical and Legal Aspects

Head Injuries

Head injury describes any trauma to the head that may lead to the injury of the brain, scalp, or skull.

Usually, a head injury is very difficult to deal with as it has great effects on its victims that may remain for a long time, or even permanently. For this reason, it is important to have the necessary knowledge about head injuries and its legal aspects.

Head Injury: Classification

Damages to the head are classified into two categories. This depends on the cause of the injury. These categories are the following:

• Open or penetrating head injury

• Closed head injury

Head Injury: Types

There are different types of head injuries, including:

• Brain contusion

• Concussion

• Skull fracture

Skull fractures are categorized into different kinds. These are:

• Linear skull fracture

• Depressed skull fracture

• Basilar skull fracture • Intacranial (inside the skull) hemorrhage (bleeding) or hematoma

There are also different kinds of hematoma:

• Subdural hematoma

• Epidural hematoma

• Intraparenchymal hemorrhage or cerebral contusion

Brain Injuries

One of the types of head injuries is damage to the brain. Some of the brain injuries include the following:

• Tearing of the sensitive brain tissue, such as from a sudden blow or impact

• Bruising to the brain which is caused by an impact to the skull

• Swelling

• "Anoxic" brain injury or the deprivation of oxygen in the brain

Traumatic brain injury can have various effects on its victim. It can cause one or more of the following:

• Concussion

• Coma

• Seizures

• Paralysis

• Impaired vision and speech

• Anxiety and depression

• Loss of senses, such as smell or touch

• Changes in personality and behavior

• Memory and concentration problems

Head Injuries: Legal Aspects

After you have learned some of the basics of head injuries, you should also be aware of some of its legal aspects.

Usually, an injury like this is caused by the negligent act of another person or party. If this happens, you may file a head injury claim to recover damages. Hiring a competent lawyer will help you in these legal aspects of head injuries.

In trials or settlement negotiations with insurance companies, a lawyer will usually collect evidence to be used. Some of the evidences needed include the following:

• Rehab and medical records

• Observations and statements of witnesses

• Workplace incident reports

• Police reports

• Reports from forensic experts (such as accident reconstructionists)

In head injury claims, the victims of head injuries may possibly recover damages. If you are one of those victims, you may collect compensation for the following types of loss: