Brain Injuries Caused By Cerebral Hypoxia
Your brain needs oxygen in order to survive, and in fact the brain uses around one-fifth of all the oxygen that our body consumes. When an accident and injury cause a lack of oxygen to the brain, it can cause the brain cells to die, which is known as cerebral hypoxia. This condition can be caused by many different types of personal injury accidents, and the experienced Nashville personal injury lawyers at Mitch Grissim & Associates are here to help after a brain injury. To learn more about what your case might be worth, call or contact us in our Nashville office today to schedule a free consultation.
What Causes Cerebral Hypoxia?
Cerebral hypoxia can occur whenever an accident results in a lack of oxygen to the brain. This can be due to a lack of proper blood flow to the brain or the inhalation of gases other than oxygen. Once brain cells die because of cerebral hypoxia, there is no treatment to reverse a brain injury. If the hypoxia occurs for too long, this condition can be fatal. Some of the most common causes of cerebral hypoxia include the following:
- Suffocation,
- Drowning,
- Electrocution,
- Traumatic brain injuries,
- Heart attack,
- Stroke,
- Carbon monoxide poisoning,
- Smoke inhalation,
- Seizure,
- Severe blood loss or hemorrhage, and
- Surgical complications.
What are the Signs of This Condition?
If someone who suffered an accident is showing the following symptoms, it could indicate that they are suffering from cerebral hypoxia. These signs and symptoms include appearing disoriented, slurring their words, breathing rapidly or shallowly, getting a bluish or gray tint to their skin and lips, dilated pupils, convulsions, seizures, and become non-responsive when asked simple questions or to perform a basic function like squeezing a hand.
Long-Term Effects of Cerebral Hypoxia
Accident victims who do not get cerebral hypoxia treated immediately run the risk of lifelong problems, which can include cognitive impairment, memory loss, personality changes, poor judgment, inability to focus, issues with balance, coordination, or walking, spasticity, speech problems, difficulty swallowing, and vision problems.
Cerebral hypoxia can also lead to additional physical complications if not treated quickly. Some of the most common complications include seizures, coma, and brain death. Brain cell death can begin to occur in as little as five minutes, with total brain death occurring in as little as ten minutes. Life support measures are critical when you suspect that someone is suffering from this condition after an accident.
Compensation for Cerebral Hypoxia Injuries
Compensation for cerebral hypoxia injuries includes the immediate damage caused by the accident in addition to the future complications and disabilities caused by this condition. Damages that can be collected include all out of pocket expenses like medical bills, lost wages, and the loss of future income and benefits as well as compensation for the victim’s pain and suffering, emotional distress, disability, disfigurement, and loss of enjoyment of life.
Talk to Our Office
Are you interested in learning more about accident compensation in the Nashville area? Call or contact Mitch Grissim & Associates today to schedule a free consultation of your case.
Resource:
ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/All-Disorders/Cerebral-Hypoxia-Information-Page
