Orange County Traumatic Brain Injury Attorney

Common Types of Traumatic Brain Injuries in Costa Mesa

Some of the most common types of TBIs include:

• Concussion: Likely the most familiar type of traumatic brain injury, a concussion occurs when the brain is jolted due to a sudden blow to the head, resulting in its movement toward the point of impact. While many concussions are mild, others can be severe enough to cause lifelong complications, including balance issues and chronic headaches. Though it is a common misconception that concussions are not a serious medical emergency, inadequate treatment can lead to long-term issues for victims. Additionally, receiving a concussion makes victims more susceptible to future brain injuries, which can further compound the symptoms.
• Coup-Contrecoup Brain Injury: A coup-contrecoup brain injury is a severe TBI in which the force to the head is strong enough for the brain to be jostled against the opposing side of the skull. These typically occur from forceful blows in incidents like car accidents or falls and are similar to severe whiplash. This is generally considered a moderate-to-severe TBI that will produce a range of severe symptoms and require extensive care for victims to work towards recovery.
• Brain Contusion: A brain contusion, or bruise, is essentially bleeding under the skin surrounding the brain. They often occur at the same time as a concussion and are quite similar. While brain contusions sometimes heal on their own, if the bleeding does not stop or healing does not occur, they can require surgical removal, which can become a complicated and costly endeavor.
• Diffuse Axonal Injury: Diffuse axonal injuries occur when the head moves so rapidly that the brain is not able to match its pace, which is common in incidents such as car accidents. This results in tears to the brain’s connective tissue and nervous system, which can lead to many further complications and symptoms.
• Penetration: A penetrative brain injury is a type of head injury where an object impacts the skull and injures a part of the brain as a result. Because nerves and connections in the brain can be severely and permanently harmed by this, in most cases a penetrative brain injury can result in major function loss and impairments.

Common Causes of Traumatic Brain Injuries

Though a TBI can occur for myriad reasons, certain activities and situations are more likely to lead to brain injuries than others. Some of the most common examples include:

• Sports Injuries: Common both for professional athletes and recreational ones, traumatic brain injuries are frequently a result of sports injuries. Younger children are especially susceptible to these injury types; the fact that their brains are still developing can result in a life-long impairment and reduction of their abilities.
• Car Accidents: If you have been injured in a car accident in Orange County, a TBI might be a risk. Car accidents can cause victims to hit their heads or receive whiplash, which can create a higher risk of head injury, especially for crashes that are severe or involve the victim getting thrown from their vehicle. Pedestrians and cyclists struck by cars often have a high rate of head injury, as well.
• Motorcycle Accidents: Motorcycle accidents in Costa Mesa can be extremely dangerous. Even when bikers are wearing proper protection, they can sustain a head injury if they are thrown from their motorcycle or collide with an object.
• Slips & Falls: A slip due to unsafe surfaces or other hazards can result in a traumatic brain injury when the victim’s head comes into contact with the ground or other objects. Additionally, a fall from a height, such as off construction equipment or from a ledge, can lead to a TBI. The CDC reports that falls are the reason for nearly 50% of TBIs, with the common victims being children and older adults.
• Medical Malpractice: Medical malpractice can lead to brain injuries due to the negligence of doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals. This is especially common during labor and delivery, when infants’ skulls are soft and not yet fully developed, which can lead to a lifetime of complications and healing.