What is a Diffuse Axonal Brain Injury?
At Snyder Heitman LLC, our clients struggle with various brain injuries after common accidents, such as car wrecks or falls. A diffuse axonal injury is one of the most serious, and our clients often cannot work as they struggle with the symptoms. Contact our law firm if you have any questions about your ability to receive compensation for an accident resulting in a brain injury. Many of our clients are homebound and struggling financially.
How This Injury Happens
A diffuse axonal brain injury (DAI) is caused by the rapid change in movement of the brain inside the skull. The different parts of the brain can move at different speeds, tearing the axons, which are long nerves which help brain cells communicate. As a result, neurological signals are often disrupted or delayed, and victims can manifest various impairments.
Any accident which causes the brain to shift can cause a diffuse axonal injury:
- Car accidents. A rear-end collision is a common cause. The whip-like motion of a person’s head which causes whiplash can also lead to a diffuse axonal injury. Any crash which “jolts” the body could also trigger a DAI.
- A person who strikes their head on the ground can develop a DAI after slipping on something on the ground.
- Contact sports. Football and soccer can lead to brain injuries when athletes tackle each other. An athlete can also strike their head on the ground when they fall.
- Anyone assaulted could be punched in the face or struck with a baseball bat. Violent attacks cause direct impacts on the skull, causing the brain to “jiggle.”
The symptoms a person deals with depends on the person and severity of the accident. Diffuse axonal injuries typically cause an immediate loss of consciousness. Once a person awakens, they can deal with headaches, neck stiffness, sensory problems, and loss of short-term memory.
More significant DAIs often impair a person’s mobility. It’s not unusual for a serious DAI to result in being bedbound because of motor dysfunction. The most serious DAIs often result in long-term coma and being in a vegetative state.
If you experience confusion or headaches following an accident, go to the hospital. A doctor will diagnose a brain injury usually by asking questions about symptoms and observing you. Unfortunately, many brain injuries (including DAI) do not show up on scans.
Contact Us to Discuss Who is Legally Liable for Your Accident
If you suffered a DAI, you probably want to know who you can hold accountable. The proper defendant will depend on the circumstances. We might sue any negligent motorist who struck your vehicle or a property owner who failed to fix hazards or at least warn you. In other situations, we can sue a property owner for failing to use adequate security, which contributes to a violent attack.
Reach out to speak with a Greenville brain injury attorney with Snyder Heitman LLC. We do not charge for consultations, and we can discuss how we represent clients on contingency fee agreements.
Source:
healthline.com/health/diffuse-axonal-injury