Have You or a Loved one Suffered a Brain Injury? Our Lawyers Can Help
We have worked closely with many individuals and families whose loved ones were injured, disabled, or killed due to brain injuries suffered in accidents. Our Seattle anoxic brain injury lawyers understand how emotionally and physically traumatic this is for you and your loved ones. If you suffered an anoxic or another type of brain injury, your future may be dramatically different than you imagined. Needless to say, you also are put under tremendous financial strain.
It is our goal at Emerald City Law Group to help you and your family hold the negligent party responsible for their actions. We focus on obtaining you the financial recovery you need to move forward and live your best life possible. If you or a loved one suffered a serious brain injury, contact our firm’s Seattle anoxic brain injury lawyers to discuss all of your legal options. You can reach us online or by calling 206-973-0407. Free consultations are available.
Types of Brain Injuries
The brain is one of several vital organs, and while it is protected by your skull and scalp, it is still sensitive. Various types of incidents can harm the brain and lead to different types of injuries. Head injuries can be open or closed. An open head injury means the skull has been penetrated or fractured in some way. The brain can be injured in either situation. More specific types of head and brain injuries include:
- Skull Fracture: Cracks in the skull.
- Hematoma: A collection or clotting of blood outside blood vessels.
- Hemorrhage: Uncontrolled bleeding.
- Edema: Swelling of the brain tissue.
- Concussion/Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): Trauma caused to your brain from hitting the walls of the skull.
- Diffuse Axonal Injury: An injury that involves damage to brain cells without bleeding.
- Anoxia: Harm to the brain when it does not receive oxygen.
- Hypoxic: Harm to the brain when it receives too little oxygen.
All of these injuries can cause permanent changes to your capabilities and personality. If not caught quickly or treated properly, you could suffer permanent disabilities. While you may fear a TBI the most, diffuse axonal and anoxic injuries are the most dangerous type. Unlike most other head and brain injuries, these are not visible, yet they have a high risk of causing permanent brain damage or death.
At Emerald City Law Group, we have handled many personal injury and wrongful death claims involving brain injuries. If you or a loved one suffered a head or brain injury in an accident, do not hesitate to call our Seattle brain injury attorneys to discuss your options.
Anoxic Brain Injuries
Your brain and body must have oxygen to survive and function properly. Too little oxygen can cause serious injuries. Suffering from a complete lack of oxygen to your brain is a significant injury, which can lead to death. Your brain cells begin to die about four minutes after your brain is deprived of oxygen. The longer a brain is without oxygen, the more likely you are to experience deficits.
There are four types of anoxic brain injuries including:
- Anoxic Anoxia: There is a lack of oxygen in the air, which causes suffocation.
- Anemic Anoxia: When your blood does not carry enough oxygen to your brain. This can be due to a lack of oxygen in your blood supply or a lack of blood itself.
- Toxic Anoxia: When toxins or chemicals block your brain from receiving the oxygen in your blood.
- Stagnant Anoxia (Hypoxic-Ischemic injury): When oxygen-carrying blood cannot reach your brain. This may be caused by stroke or heart conditions.
If you or a loved one suffered one of these types of brain injuries, and you believe another person was at fault, you should contact our Seattle brain injury lawyers right away. We are highly prepared to handle personal injury claims involving brain injuries resulting from a loss of oxygen.
The Effect of an Anoxic Brain Injury
The outcome of anoxic brain injuries can range greatly. Depending on the length of time your brain suffers without oxygen, you may be able to fully recover. This is a rare outcome, but it is possible if you experienced a mild anoxic injury. For a moderate injury, you may experience some cognitive or physical deficits and changes in personality. Each case is unique, though the effects of an anoxic brain injury include:
- Headaches
- Difficulty balancing
- Blurry vision and other vision problems
- Changes in sensory perception
- Trouble speaking or swallowing
- Motor impairment
- Difficulty forming sentences
- Seizures
- Confusion and disorientation
- Difficulty with reason, logic, and focus
- Limited attention span
- Memory impairments and forgetfulness
- Trouble communicating
- Changes in your sleep patterns
- Lack of bladder and bowel control
- Changes in sexual functioning
- Personality changes
- Depression
- Mood swings
- Acting inappropriately
Severe anoxic brain injuries can leave a person permanently disabled, in a vegetative state, in a coma, brain dead, or even cause death. If your loved one has been left in a persistent or permanent vegetative state, then they are unresponsive. They may appear to be aware sometimes, but there is no awareness of themselves or others. They will not exhibit emotions, cognitive function, or any meaningful responses to stimuli. This differs from a coma, during which an individual is fully and persistently unconscious. It also differs from brain death, during which there is no longer any brain function, and the body cannot maintain its other systems, such as respiration itself.
Common Causes of Anoxic Brain Injuries
Anoxic brain injuries can be caused by:
- Heart attack
- Heart arrhythmia
- Extremely low blood pressure
- Respiratory arrest
- Respiratory conditions that interfere with breathing
- Electric shock
- Drowning
- Suffocation
- A compressed trachea
- Brain tumors
- Carbon monoxide poisoning
- Poisoning
- Chocking
- Drug use
Many of these events are medical conditions, which are not another person’s fault. However, many of these events can occur due to another person’s careless, reckless, or violent behavior. You or a loved one could suffer this type of injury after being assaulted. You can also experience this type of injury in auto accidents or due to dangerous hazards on the property.
If you or a loved one suffered an anoxic brain injury, and you believe it is another person’s fault, please contact a Seattle brain injury attorney at Emerald City Law Group. We are here to listen, investigate your situation, and advise you on your legal rights and options.
A Seattle Anoxic Brain Injury Lawyer Can Help
If you or a loved one had a serious brain injury in an accident caused by someone else, then it is a good idea that you speak with a skilled attorney. After suffering a significant injury, disability, or death, it is vital that your family obtain a financial recovery that appropriately addresses your economic and non-economic injuries.
When another person’s negligence, gross negligence, or intentional misconduct caused you or your loved one harm, then you are likely entitled to compensation. With the help of an experienced attorney, you can pursue compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, physical pain, mental anguish, disability, disfigurement, and reduced earning capacity. If you cannot work or earn the same type of income after an anoxic brain injury, an attorney will fight for you to receive a financial award that compensates you for your lost earning potential.
Contact Emerald City Law Group Today
If you lost a loved one due to a brain injury, the personal representative of their estate can fight for compensation for:
- Medical expenses
- Funeral costs
- Loss of your loved one’s income and benefits
- Loss of your loved one’s love, companionship, and support
- Your and your loved one’s emotional suffering.
For more information about a claim related to a brain injury, contact us online or call 206-973-0407 to schedule a free consultation.
