El Centro Anoxic Brain Injury Lawyer
When people think about brain injuries, they often think of traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), which are caused by blows or jolts to the head. However, TBIs are not the only type of brain injury that can lead to severe health consequences. Brain injuries caused by lack of oxygen, known as anoxic brain injuries (ABIs), can lead to the same type of devastation as TBIs.
Victims may experience cognitive and emotional changes, become unable to work, and even struggle with self-care. Related financial expenses can include medical bills, ongoing care, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, and the cost of modifications to the home or specialized medical equipment. An attorney could help you pursue compensation for these costs.
If you have suffered an ABI, an El Centro anoxic brain injury lawyer from Walter Clark Legal Group could evaluate the cause of your injury and help you understand whether someone may be financially liable for your losses.
Understanding Anoxic Brain Injuries
ABIs happen when the brain is deprived of oxygen for a prolonged period, damaging or killing brain cells. ABIs can result from natural causes, such as a heart attack, stroke, or unnatural causes. Some causes include:
- Near-drowning incidents
- Suffocation
- Electrocution
- Carbon monoxide poisoning
- Drug overdose
- Seizures
- Cardiac arrest
Whether another party is responsible for the ABI is directly linked to the cause of the injury. For example, someone intentionally suffocating another person could be held responsible for the ABI. However, wrongdoers do not have to engage in willful behavior to be responsible—negligence can also lead to liability.
An El Centro attorney could review an ABI and advise victims about potentially responsible parties.
Symptoms of Anoxic Brain Injury
Even when an ABI has a clear cause, such as when someone was rescued from a near-drowning incident, it may not be immediately apparent that the victim has suffered a brain injury. Anyone who experiences an event that could lead to a lack of oxygen to the brain should be examined by medical professionals to rule out the possibility of an ABI.
Symptoms of ABI can vary depending on the extent and duration of oxygen deprivation. Generally, the longer someone is without oxygen, the greater the risk of brain cell damage or death. However, many factors can influence the severity of the injury, including body temperature. Under cold conditions, the brain can survive a lack of oxygen for much longer than at body temperature.
Symptoms of ABIs include:
- Loss of consciousness
- Coma
- Seizures
- Confusion
- Difficulty breathing
- Cognitive problems
- Paralysis in part of or the whole body
To diagnose an ABI, medical professionals will take a medical history, conduct a physical exam, and use diagnostic tools such as CT scans and MRIs. An El Centro attorney could evaluate the medical findings to determine liability for the ABI.
Treating Anoxic Brain Injuries
Immediate treatment dramatically improves the prognosis for ABI victims. The highest treatment priority is to restore the brain’s oxygen supply as quickly as possible. Emergency CPR may accomplish this by forcing oxygen into the victim’s bloodstream.
Once a person is under medical care, treatments include intubation, oxygen therapy, mechanical ventilation, and medications to improve blood flow. While intervention cannot always restore oxygen in time to prevent brain damage, it does improve the victim’s prognosis.
Delayed treatment can lead to a worse outcome. An El Centro ABI lawyer may examine whether the medical treatment complied with required standards to determine whether a medical professional might share liability for the injury.
Talk to an El Centro Attorney if You Have Suffered an Anoxic Brain Injury
Brain injuries of any type can dramatically change a person’s life. Mild injuries can create underlying issues that may not be apparent for years, or leave people vulnerable to future injuries. Moderate to severe brain injuries can lead to immediately evident changes in cognition, emotion, and physical abilities.
If you are a victim of an ABI, you may be unable to work or care for yourself. You may even have experienced considerable changes in your relationships. An El Centro anoxic brain injury lawyer could help you explore the cause of your injury and provide guidance about potential remedies. Call Walter Clark Legal Group today and schedule a free initial consultation to learn more.
