Any kind of incident that reduces or stops blood flow to the brain can lead to an anoxic brain injury, which can cause severe and permanent damage and loss of function in a very short period (often in less than five minutes).
These injuries can happen due to negligence, such as in a car accident or medical malpractice. When this happens, you or your loved one can seek compensation for your damages. To understand more about anoxic brain injury, an experienced San Luis Obispo brain injury attorney from Ernst Law Group answers some of the frequently asked questions we receive.
| Please note: Anoxic brain injury is not the same as hypoxic brain injury. Click to learn about hypoxic brain injuries. |
What causes anoxic brain injury?
Any kind of incident that reduces or stops blood flow to the brain can lead to an anoxic brain injury. Drowning, suffocation, or being choked can prevent a person from taking in oxygen through the lungs. Other causes include carbon monoxide poisoning.
Some of the most common causes stem from other people’s careless actions. For example, if someone pushes you off a dock or boat into the water, knowing you can’t swim, they could be liable for any brain injury you suffer. Another instance might be if a medical practitioner fails to monitor your vital signs properly during a procedure. You could experience a loss of blood oxygen, leading to anoxia.
Other situations that could lead to an anoxic brain injury include:
- Injuries from a car accident that cause you to lose a significant amount of blood
- Burglary or other criminal acts that cause you to suffer a heart attack or stroke
- Refusal or negligence to provide oxygen therapy for a nursing home patient
- Failure to diagnose and treat severe anemia due to medical negligence
Injuries due to Anoxia
Brain cells die in as little as four minutes when deprived of oxygen. Permanent brain damage can occur as quickly as five minutes.
Severe and sometimes permanent injuries may occur due to Anoxia, depending upon the amount of time the brain is deprived of oxygen. Anoxia can result in the following:
- Loss of consciousness
- Coma
- Headaches
- Weakness in the arms and legs
- Decreased coordination
- Cognitive deficits – problems with concentration, attention, focus
- Memory loss
- Communication problems – understanding what is said, expressing oneself with the proper words
- Brain death
Immediate emergency medical treatment is critical in avoiding or minimizing Anoxic Brain Injury damage.
Is anoxic brain injury visible on an MRI?
Yes. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is commonly used to diagnose anoxic brain injuries. Other testing procedures may not detect the damage, so an MRI scan can be extremely useful for treating the condition and as vital evidence for a personal injury claim against the at-fault party.
Can you recover from anoxic brain injury?
Each anoxic brain injury will be unique so that recovery will look different from one patient to the next. Because these injuries can cause so much cognitive and functional damage, returning to health can take a long time, if the patient can recover at all. If they can’t, they likely face a lifetime of treatment and care.
Patients may need special medication, extensive rehabilitation programs, and even surgery to regain function. However, others may be left with permanent disability that prevents them from working, enjoying life, or caring for themselves. They will need financial relief from those responsible for their harm so they can comfortably adjust to the results of their injury.
Ernst Law Group can help you if you’ve suffered anoxic brain injury
Anoxic brain injury victims deserve help from a compassionate attorney who is dedicated to helping brain injury clients. At Ernst Law Group, our team has spent over 35 years helping those hurt by medical malpractice, reckless negligence, or intentional harm. We will not rest until we secure the compensation and justice you deserve from those at fault.
Contact us to schedule a free case review with no risk or obligation. Call (805) 541- 0300 or use our online form to meet with a San Luis Obispo brain injury attorney today.
