Brain stem injuries should not be taken lightly, as they can result in permanent consequences. If you have suffered a brain stem injury as a result of another party’s negligence, please don’t hesitate to contact a compassionate Morris County Catastrophic Injury Attorney who can help you fight for the compensation you deserve and need to get your life back on track.
What Are Common Causes of Brain Stem Injuries?
Firstly, the brain stem is a group of nerves that connect the brain to the spinal cord. It is the command center for all bodily functions, meaning it sends signals to the rest of the body when you want to move and perform other actions. It’s also responsible for regulating your circadian rhythm, balance, and breathing.
The brain is a delicate organ that can suffer damage under many types of circumstances. However, this injury generally arises from jolts, bumps, or blows to the head or skull. Essentially, this type of damage is typically caused by a traumatic brain injury, even though the brain stem may not be injured in the initial accident. Brain stem injuries mainly occur from a source of external trauma; common examples are:
- Auto accidents
- Motorcycle and bicycle accidents
- Slip-and-fall accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Workplace injuries
- Medical malpractice, including birth injuries
- Criminal acts of violence
- Contact sports
Auto accidents are among the top contributing causes of brain stem injuries. This is because damage to the brain stem can occur when a motorist slams their head against a hard surface or gets violently jerked back and forth due to the forceful impact of a collision. It’s important to note that conditions, such as heart attacks, can cause damage to your brain stem. This means if you suffer a heart attack as a result of a motor vehicle accident, you can also suffer a brain stem injury even though you may not have endured a blow to the head. It’s crucial to understand that to be eligible for compensation in a personal injury lawsuit, the injury must result from negligence.
What Are the Potential Long-Term Effects?
As you can see, when a brain stem injury occurs, the consequences to the victim’s life are often catastrophic. It’s important to note that the brain stem has three main parts: the mid-brain, the pons, and the medulla oblongata. Each part controls critical functions in the human body. In severe cases, such as injuries to the three main parts of the brain stem, victims can suffer brain death. However, even less severe injuries have a significant impact on function, including:
- Comas
- Locked-in syndrome
- Respiratory issues
- Issues swallowing
- Problems with balance and coordination
This type of head injury often requires long-term care and rehabilitation. Unfortunately, some injury victims never make a full recovery. This means victims can suffer from permanent disabilities that impact their ability to earn a living or engage in activities they enjoyed before the injury.
At Lutz Injury Law, we understand how complex these matters can be. Don’t navigate this difficult time alone. Contact our dedicated legal team to learn how we can aggressively fight for the maximum compensation to which you are entitled for your traumatic brain injury.