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Anoxic brain injuries can occur anytime there is a loss of oxygen delivered to the brain. In fact, without a continuous flow of oxygen in the bloodstream, death of brain cells can happen in as little as four minutes.
Brain injuries classified as anoxic differ from a hypoxic injury in that inadequate supplies of oxygen usually cause hypoxia, while anoxia is the result of a complete lack of oxygen. Sometimes, the medical community records the injury as HAI (hypoxic-anoxic brain injuries). While the two conditions are similar in nature, a complete lack of oxygen delivery to the brain can cause significantly more widespread damage.
Anoxic Brain Injury Causes
While many medical conditions or scenarios that can cause anoxic brain injuries, the two leading causes include cardiac arrest and asphyxia.
- Cardiac Arrest – Studies indicate that cardiac arrest is a leading cause of anoxia. However, some cardiovascular diseases and the use of anesthesia account for one third the total amount of anoxic brain injuries. Patients that are victims of medical malpractice often experience anoxia from certain medical treatments and procedures including extubation and intubation problems, inordinate bleeding, childbirth and other medical complications.
- Asphyxia – Near-drowning events, suffocation, choking and attempted suicide are often leading factors of serious anoxic brain injuries. However, anoxia can also be the result of drug use (barbiturate poisoning), severe bronchial asthma, electrocution and/or chest trauma caused by an excessive bleeding from an accident or injury. Individuals exposed to high levels of carbon monoxide and/or smoke inhalation often suffer from anoxia due to a disruption of oxygen delivery.
Signs and Symptoms Of An Anoxic Brain Injury
In some incidences, there are significant signs and symptoms that an individual has experienced brain damage as a result of oxygen deprivation. The length of time and degree of oxygen deprivation usually determines the severity of the condition. In many incidences, individuals that have suffered cerebral hypoxia and/or anoxia often show specific signs that include:
- Memory loss
- Poor judgment
- Poor motor coordination
- Behavioral changes
- Changes in personality
- Amnesia
- Hearing difficulties including the inability to associate meaning with words
- Challenged visual imagery processing (unable to discern items, shapes and/or colors)
- Language and speech disorders that include challenged abilities with spontaneous speech
- Inattentiveness
- Muscle damage resulting in irregular or uncoordinated physical movements
- Hallucinations
Individuals that have suffered even mild cases of anoxia might also experience permanent brain damage, seizures, coma and sometimes death.
Legal Options To Help Provide Care and Treatment For People With Anoxic Brain Injuries
Chicago-area anoxic brain damage attorneys represent clients suffering from anoxic brain injuries. The lawyers use their skills to obtain financial recompense for the neglectful actions of other individuals, defective products, medical malpractice and other scenarios causing anoxia.
A crucial aspect of pursuing a legal claim for anoxic brain injury and damages involves establishing a clear, obvious connection between an accident/incident and the injury. When the attorney can prove it was the negligence of an organization, manufacturer, business, product, or other individual, the lawyer is often successful in achieving a high financial settlement amount, or an award at trial.
Legal Experts Help Establish Liability & Prove Damages
Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers LLC fully investigate the incident causing brain injury using appropriate experts. A complete investigation of the accident when pursuing a claim ensures that all responsible parties are held accountable for their liability of the incident.
Often times, this requires the law firm to enlist the expert services of physicians specializing in brain injuries, forensic engineers, neuroradiologists, neurophysiologists, medical illustrators, vocational rehabilitation specialists and life care planners, along with jury consultants should the case go to trial.
Because of the complexities of personal injury claims involving brain injuries, seasoned attorneys will often use the benefits of focus groups and mock trials to analyze the merits of the case. Their efforts often ensure the highest level of financial compensation. The attorneys' goal is to develop and present a thorough and vigorous case using proven strategies, to protect the legal rights of their client suffering brain injury.
Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers LLC offer confidential, free no-obligation consultations to evaluate every Illinois anoxic brain injury claim. The attorneys provide their services on a contingency basis, without the need for any up front legal fees. The lawyers will be paid for their services only if they win in court, or negotiate an acceptable out-of-court settlement on behalf of their client. Call (888) 424-5757 now, before the statute of limitations (the amount of time you can file a claim or lawsuit) expires.
