Brain injuries can change your life in an instant. Understanding the differences between open and closed head injuries can help you know what to expect and how to get the right help.
If you or a loved one have been injured because of someone else’s negligence, you could be entitled to compensation for your brain injuries. Traumatic brain injuries can have long-term effects, and you should not be expected to shoulder that burden alone when another person is responsible.
Learn more about the types of head wounds and how a brain injury lawyer from Hecht, Kleeger & Damashek, Personal Injury Lawyers, P.C. can help you recover the compensation you deserve.
What Are Open Head Injuries?
Open head injuries happen when something breaks through the skull and hurts the brain. This can happen in serious accidents like car crashes or gunshot wounds. Because the skull is broken, there’s a higher risk of infections since germs can get into the brain. Open head injuries are very serious and need immediate medical attention.
Common Causes of Open Head Injuries:
- Car accidents: A severe crash can cause objects to penetrate the skull.
- Gunshot wounds: Bullets can easily pierce the skull and damage the brain.
- Sharp objects: Accidents involving sharp tools or debris can lead to open head injuries.
- Falls: Falling from a height or onto a sharp object can cause the skull to break.
Symptoms of Open Head Injuries:
- Bleeding from the head
- Loss of consciousness
- Severe headache
- Nausea and vomiting
- Confusion or disorientation
Because of the direct damage to the brain, open-head injuries often lead to significant complications and require complex medical treatments.
What Are Closed Head Injuries?
Closed head injuries occur when the brain is hurt, but the skull stays intact. This can happen if you hit your head hard in a fall or during a sports game. Even though the skull isn’t broken, the brain can still be bruised, bleed, or swell, leading to serious problems. There are different levels of these injuries, each with its challenges.
Common Causes of Closed Head Injuries:
- Falls: Slipping and falling can cause your brain to hit the inside of your skull.
- Sports-related injuries: High-impact sports like football or boxing can lead to closed head injuries.
- Car accidents: Even without breaking the skull, the force of a crash can cause serious brain injury.
Symptoms of Closed Head Injuries:
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Blurred vision
- Memory loss
- Difficulty concentrating
Closed head injuries might not show obvious signs right away, but they can still be very dangerous and need proper medical care. The internal damage can lead to long-term health issues if not treated promptly.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Head Injuries
Diagnosing both open and closed head injuries usually involves medical exams and imaging tests like CT scans or MRIs. These tests help doctors see the extent of the damage and plan the best treatment.
Treatment for Open Head Injuries:
- Immediate Surgery: To fix the skull and remove any objects causing the injury.
- Antibiotics: To prevent infections due to the open wound.
- Ongoing Care: Including rehabilitation to help with recovery.
Treatment for Closed Head Injuries:
- Rest and Monitoring: Mild cases may only need rest and watching for symptoms.
- Medication: To manage pain and other symptoms like headaches.
- Rehabilitation Therapies: Physical, occupational, and speech therapy can help regain lost functions.
The treatment for head injuries can be lengthy and complex, often requiring a team of healthcare professionals to ensure the best recovery possible.
Long-Term Effects of Head Injuries
Both open and closed head injuries can have long-lasting effects, but there are some differences.
Common Long-Term Effects:
- Cognitive Impairments: Problems with memory, attention, and problem-solving.
- Physical Impairments: Issues with balance, coordination, and muscle weakness.
- Emotional and Behavioral Changes: Mood swings, irritability, anxiety, and depression.
- Infection Risk: Open head injuries have a higher risk of infections because the brain is exposed.
These effects can change how you live your day-to-day life, making it hard to work, communicate, or even take care of yourself. It’s important to get ongoing medical care and support to manage these challenges.
Legal Implications and Compensation
If you have suffered a brain injury due to someone else’s actions, you have the right to seek compensation. This means you can get money to help cover your medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses.
How a NYC Brain Injury Lawyer Can Help:
- Identify Responsible Parties: We will find out who is responsible for your injury.
- Deal with Insurers: We will talk to the insurance companies to make sure you get fair compensation.
- Maximize Compensation: We aim to get you the most money possible to cover all your needs.
Your case will rest on the evidence we can gather so we can prove your brain injury is severe and you need the compensation to be made whole.
Types of Compensation You Can Receive:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Disability
- Disfigurement
- Lower quality of life
- Reduced earning potential
What to Do After a New York Brain Injury
If you or a loved one has suffered a brain injury, it’s important to take the right steps to protect your health and your legal rights.
- Seek Medical Attention: Always see a doctor right away, even if you feel fine.
- Document the Incident: Write down what happened, take photos, and keep any evidence.
- Contact a Lawyer: Get in touch with a brain injury lawyer to discuss your case and learn about your options.
Taking these steps can help ensure you get the care you need and the compensation you deserve.
Get Help with Your Brain Injury Now
Understanding the differences between open and closed head injuries is crucial for getting the right treatment and support.
Both types of injuries can have serious long-term effects, but help is available. If you or a loved one has suffered a brain injury, the experienced brain injury lawyers at Hecht, Kleeger & Damashek, Personal Injury Lawyers, P.C. are here to fight for you.
Contact us today for a free, no-risk consultation.