Brain injuries are commonly categorised as ‘traumatic’ or ‘acquired’.
Traumatic brain injury
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is the result of a blow to the head which might be caused by anything from a simple trip to a collision on the sports field to a major road accident or assault.
A TBI is further classified as mild, moderate or severe:
- a mild brain/head injury may cause a brief period of unconsciousness, dizziness or a period of feeling sick. It’s estimated that 75% to 80% of all head injuries fall into this category;
- a moderate brain/head injury is defined as one where the patient has had a period of unconsciousness of between 15 minutes and 6 hours or a period of post-traumatic amnesia lasting up to 24 hours.
- a severe brain/head injury is defined as being where the patient has been unconscious for a period of more than 6 hours or suffers post-traumatic amnesia for more than 24 hours.
There are many different types of brain injury:
- Concussion is the most common brain injury, and often described as a ‘mild’ injury.
- A closed head injury occurs where there is impact without breaking the skull.
- A penetrating head injury occurs when an object fractures the skull and enters brain tissue.
- Diffuse brain injury occurs when the brain moves within the skull when the head is shaken, and damage might be caused in several areas where the brain hits the skull.
- Brain contusion describes bruised or swollen brain tissue that occurs when the skull cracks or breaks and can be caused, for example, by a depressed skull fracture (fragments of a broken skull pressing against the brain) or a penetrating skull fracture (bone fragments enter the brain tissue).
- Babies can suffer brain injury at birth, such as cerebral palsy.
People who have suffered severe traumatic brain injuries may well require full-time nursing care, but the vast majority of people attending hospital with a head injury will have suffered a fall or collision and suffer no apparent long term effects. Many more seek no medical advice at all.
“Subtle” brain and head injuries
In many cases, the after-effects will amount to nothing more than a short term headache, but in others, there may be a brain injury which goes undetected. Often referred to as a ‘subtle brain injury’, its effects can nevertheless have life-changing consequences.
People with a subtle brain injury may not exhibit obvious outward signs of disability but they may well experience difficulty in the workplace, struggle to concentrate, suffer fatigue or lack their previous drive and motivation. They could have difficulty relating to others and become moody and withdrawn. Some may exhibit the opposite behaviour and become disinhibited and extrovert. There may be memory problems or headaches.
Often these symptoms are not recognised as being attributable to brain injury and not fully investigated. If the victim of an accident has suffered other serious injuries, then the medical response team are likely to focus on those and could easily overlook any mild head injury.
Acquired brain injury
An acquired brain injury (ABI) is an injury that occurred at or since birth. Whilst that does include TBIs, it is more commonly used to refer to injuries due to, for example, an infection, tumour, stroke or a medical accident (clinical negligence or medical negligence).
There are many conditions that could cause an ABI, these include:
A Birth injury
Birth injury refers to an injury sustained by a woman or her baby before, during or soon after birth, which may result in damage to the brain; the most common of which is Cerebral Palsy. Birth injury can occur as a result of:
- lack of oxygen during birth (hypoxia) – when a baby does not receive enough oxygen, their brains can be left permanently damaged;
- not recognising the symptoms of distress – it is essential health professionals monitor a baby’s heartbeat – incorrect analysis of the CTG monitor or inappropriate use of medication in order to initiate contractions could all lead to signs of distress going unnoticed. In turn, the baby may not be delivered early enough, increasing the risk of brain damage;
- incorrect use of instruments during delivery – forceps or ventouse suction caps may be used to assist delivery. These put pressure on the baby’s head and if used incorrectly, or too early, can cause brain damage;
- shoulder dystocia – this is a complication that occurs when the baby’s head is delivered, but one shoulder gets stuck behind the mother’s pelvic bone. Increased force is then often required to deliver the baby, which may cause some of the baby’s nerves, passing between the spinal cord and the arm, to become damaged.
- Erb’s Palsy – the nerves that pass between the spinal cord and the arm form an important neuro network called the brachial plexus. Erb’s Palsy can happen during childbirth and occurs when the nerves in the brachial plexus are stretched or torn.
More information on birth injuries is available at: www.braininjurygroup.co.uk/news/what-is-birth-injury/
Brain tumours
A brain tumour is a growth of cells in the brain that multiples in an abnormal, uncontrollable way. Symptoms vary according to the exact part of the brain affected, but common symptoms include:
- seizures;
- severe persistent headaches;
- nausea, vomiting and drowsiness;
- mental or behavioural changes such as memory loss or personality changes;
- weakness or paralysis on one side of the body, vision or speech problems.
There may be a claim for clinical negligence if there has been a misdiagnosis, delay in diagnosis or an error in treatment or surgery. These scenarios could result in complications for the patient, including exacerbating the cancer itself, a longer recovery period or death due to the failure to treat earlier.
Cerebral Palsy
Cerebral Palsy, one of the most commonly seen brain injuries in children, is a lifelong neurological condition which occurs either before birth, at birth or in the first few years of life whilst the brain is developing. Potential causes of cerebral palsy are:
- stroke – a blot clot or bleed in a baby’s brain, either before or after birth;
- reduced or disrupted oxygen supply to the brain (hypoxia and asphyxiation);
- an infection caught by the mother during pregnancy;
- infection, meningitis or encephalitis in new-born babies;
- very low blood sugar levels in new-born babies;
- head injury or trauma during or shortly after birth;
- genetic changes affecting the development of the brain.
It should be noted that the majority of cerebral palsy cases occur spontaneously during pregnancy and not as a result of negligent care. However, if you have concerns about the care your child received, it is worth having a free no-obligation chat with one of our specialist member law firms.
Further information about Cerebral Palsy can be found at:
www.braininjurygroup.co.uk/living-with-brain-injury/cerebral-palsy/
www.braininjurygroup.co.uk/news/what-is-cerebral-palsy-when-might-claim/
Hydrocephalus
Hydrocephalus is a build-up of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain. This is a naturally occurring fluid but if something occurs to stop the fluid passing from the brain into the blood stream raised pressure in the brain can occur, leading to brain damage. If left untreated, hydrocephalus can be fatal.
Symptoms of hydrocephalus in young babies includes:
- large, or rapid increase in, head size;
- downward eye gaze;
- sickness;
- drowsiness;
- seizures.
Additionally, in older children and adult’s symptoms can include:
- confusion;
- headaches;
- tiredness;
- blurred vision;
- problems with balance and co-ordination.
If not correctly diagnosed and treated, damage to the brain can occur which could lead to a person suffering long term difficulties with learning, vision, impaired speech, memory, epilepsy, movement and co-ordination issues, and a short attention span.
Claims involving hydrocephalus are extremely complex and will only succeed if the brain injury has resulted from a negligent act or omission, so how the condition is picked up, monitored and treated are crucial.
More information on Hydrocephalus can be found at: www.braininjurygroup.co.uk/news/hydrocephalus-help-and-support/
Kernicterus
Kernicterus is a condition linked to jaundice in new-born babies. Whilst jaundice is commonly seen in new-born babies and easily treated, if not diagnosed early, monitored and treated, in extreme cases it can cause a type of brain damage known as kernicterus. Initial signs of kernicterus can include poor feeding, floppiness, seizures, arching of the spine and failure to respond to stimulus.
Whilst long term implications vary greatly in severity, commonly a child who has suffered kernicterus will be diagnosed with cerebral palsy, damage to hearing, learning disabilities and impaired eye movement. Life expectancy is rarely affected, but it is likely a child affected will need long term care, rehabilitation and educational assistance.
It’s important to seek advice from a specialist medical negligence solicitor who has experience of dealing with kernicterus cases if you have concerns about the care your new born baby has received; if it is found that the care received was negligent, it may be possible to bring a claim against the hospital which will ensure your child receives the right rehabilitation at the right time to live a comfortable and fulfilled life.
More information on Kernicterus can be found at: www.braininjurygroup.co.uk/news/a-look-at-kernicterus-and-jaundice-in-babies/
Neonatal hypoglycaemia
Neonatal hypoglycaemia is a condition where a new-born baby’s blood sugar fall to a very low level which, if not recognised, monitored and treated, can cause permanent brain damage.
Symptoms include:
- bluish skin colour;
- difficulty breathing;
- decreased muscle tone;
- irritability, jitteriness or grunting;
- very sleepy, pale, floppy or listless appearance;
- sickness;
- tremors, shaking or seizures.
If there has been a delay in recognising the condition and treating, whether in hospital or in the community, it may be possible to bring a claim for clinical negligence.
Neonatal hypoglycaemia is a rare condition and claims can be very complex, especially if the baby has underlying health conditions, so it’s important to speak to a specialist lawyer about your concerns.
More information on Neonatal hypoglycaemia can be found at: www.braininjurygroup.co.uk/news/neonatal-hypoglycaemia/
A stroke
A stroke occurs when blood supply to part of the brain is blocked or cut off by a bleed or a blood clot.
Stroke is the most common non-traumatic cause of acquired brain injury which can happen to anyone at any time, from before birth to old age. Whilst a stroke can cause brain damage, even with the best possible treatment, delays and failures in the diagnosis or treatment of strokes can result in severe and life changing injuries, having an emotional, practical and financial impact on those affected and their families.
Circumstances where a claim may be possible include:
- failure to diagnose symptoms of an impending stroke or delays in commencing treatment;
- failure to monitor and treat high blood pressure;
- failure to undertake appropriate investigations such as MRI or MRA scans which result in delays in diagnosis and treatment;
- failures in diagnosis and treatment of transient ischemia attacks (TIAs or mini strokes);
- failure in diagnosing and treating the underlying cause of a stroke or TIA, thereby preventing or reducing the risk of brain injury from further strokes;
- mistaking stroke symptoms for symptoms of other problems such as mental health problems or the effect of alcohol, drugs or medication;
- a mistake made during surgical or interventional radiology procedures.
Our brain injury specialist law firm members are available to discuss your concerns and to investigate whether it is possible to bring a claim against the treating doctors or hospital.
Find out more about bringing a claim for clinical negligence after a stroke at: www.braininjurygroup.co.uk/news/stroke-clinical-negligence-claim/
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