Temple – Killen – Waco – Brain Injury Attorneys

According to the Brain Injury Association of America, a brain injury occurs when an outside force impacts the head hard enough to cause the brain to move within the skull or if the force causes the skull to break and directly hurt the brain. A hard impact to the head can be sufficient enough to injure the brain. Obviously a direct force to the head can also break the skull and directly hurt the brain. The leading causes of brain injuries are from motor vehicle crashes, firearms, falls, sports, and physical violence, such as hitting or striking with an object.

A rapid acceleration and deceleration of the head can force the brain to move back and forth across the inside of the skull. The stress from the rapid movements pulls apart nerve fibers and causes damage to brain tissue. This type of injury often occurs as a result of motor vehicle crashes and physical violence, such as Shaken Baby Syndrome. It is without a doubt that the brain is by far the most complex object on earth; it is soft and vulnerable with a consistency of firm pudding.

If you or a loved one has suffered a catastrophic head injury due to the negligence of another individual or company, we are ready to help you at O'Hanlon, McCollom & Demerath. Our brain injury lawyers are immediately available to evaluate your case in a free consultation.

What is Brain Injury?

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is an injury to the brain, and is a subset of “head injury” (HI). Not all HI result in a TBI. Sometimes HI and TBI are used incorrectly and interchangeably.

The Injury

Most brain injuries are the result of bruising, bleeding, twisting or tearing of brain tissue. Damage may occur at the time of injury, or develop later as a result of swelling or bleeding within the head or other medical complications of the injury. Survivors may have more than one type of injury.

The Brain

The brain is a three pound, jellylike mass made up of millions of microscopic cells that are suspended in cerebrospinal fluid. The brain is composed of individual cells called neurons. TBI can cause these cells to malfunction or even die.

There are three main areas in the brain:
the cortex(cerebrum)
the cerebellum and
the brain stem (diencephalons).

The cortex is the largest. It is the center where most thinking functions occur. It has four lobes that control specific functions and skills, and two hemispheres: the right and the left. The left hemisphere is usually the dominant one and controls verbal functions such as speaking, writing, reading and calculating. The right controls visual-spatial functions such as visual memory, copying, drawing and rhythm.

The cerebellum is a large portion of the brain, serving to coordinate voluntary movements, posture, and balance in humans, being in back of and below the cerebrum and consisting of two lateral lobes and a central lobe. The frontal lobe is often damaged because of its size and location near the front of the cranium, and is involved in many cognitive functions; it is considered to be our emotional and personality control center. Damage to temporal lobes has been associated with behavioral disorders.

Perhaps the most critical part of the brain is the brain stem. It is the portion of the brain that is continuous with the spinal cord and comprises the medulla oblongata, pons, midbrain, and parts of the hypothalamus, functioning in the control of reflexes and such essential internal mechanisms as respiration and heartbeat. It connects the brain to the spinal cord and controls survival functions, such as breathing, heart rate, consciousness and alertness. The brain is protected by the cranium or skull. The outside of the skull is smooth, but the inner surface contains ribbing and pronounced bony structures. When the brain moves inside the skull, it can be thrust into these bony protrusions, which tear or bruise the tissue, causing injury. The swelling and compression that follow this injury can cause long-term effects.

How We Can Help

Brain injuries present life-changing challenges and if the person injured was the primary breadwinner, then there are serious financial fears. We, at O'Hanlon, McCollom & Demerath, will advocate for your rights and will represent you against the negligent parties to obtain compensation for lost wages, medical bills, and other related expenses

Working for you is our number one priority and we will work to recover the damages you are entitled to following your injury. Let us evaluate your case and advise you and your family of your rights. Our goal at O'Hanlon, McCollom & Demerath is to be your advocate and win your case. For more information about your legal rights and options, or to schedule an appointment with a Texas serious injury attorney, please contact us.