When people think of brain injuries, they usually imagine damage caused by impacts or blows to the skull. However, serious brain injuries can also occur without direct impacts to the head. When a person is deprived of necessary oxygen, it can cause serious, irreversible brain damage. If another person's negligence caused you or your family member to suffer this type of damage, you should reach out to a Columbus anoxic brain injury lawyer. A skilled attorney at O’Connor, Acciani & Levy can review the details of your case to see if you might be eligible to receive compensation from the at-fault party.
What are Anoxic Brain Injuries?
Blood vessels carry oxygen to the brain. When something blocks the flow of blood or prevents the blood from carrying sufficient oxygen to the brain, serious damage can occur. Depending on the degree of interruption, people can suffer different types of brain injuries. Hypoxic injuries happen when there is a partial obstruction in the flow of oxygen to the brain. Anoxic injuries occur when there is a complete obstruction. Generally, more severe brain damage occurs when there is a complete obstruction that lasts for a longer time period. As such, anoxic brain injuries often cause catastrophic brain damage.Effects of Hypoxic Brain Damage
When the brain receives insufficient oxygen to operate, brain cells can die after just a few minutes. Anoxic brain injuries can cause extensive, irreversible cognitive impairments. These injuries can adversely affect a person's ability to concentrate, remember, or make decisions. They can also have physical ramifications, and some anoxic brain injury survivors have difficulty with motor skills like walking or writing. Survivors of anoxic injuries typically need extensive rehabilitation to regain lost skills. Even with expert medical care and therapy, full recovery may not always be possible. They may be unable to return to their jobs and require full-time care. Family members may have to give up their own jobs to care for them, or they may need to pay for assisted living facilities. Fortunately, a successful resolution of a lawsuit could help a brain injury survivor's family cover the necessary care for their loved one.Causes of Anoxic Brain Injuries in Columbus
Sometimes, anoxic brain injuries occur due to a stroke, heart attack, blood clot, or other medical event. Other times, trauma causes the brain injury, such as in the following situations:- Severe spinal cord injuries that prevent a person from breathing for a period of time
- Suffocation
- Near drowning
- Smoke inhalation
- Carbon monoxide poisoning
- Near strangulation
- Birth injuries
