Brain Stem Injuries: Understanding the Impact
Brain stem injuries are among the most severe and life-altering forms of trauma a person can experience. Learn more about these injuries and how they can affect your life.
What is the Brain Stem?
The brain stem, located at the base of the brain, connects the brain to the spinal cord. It controls vital functions such as:
- Breathing
- Heart rate
- Blood pressure
- Consciousness
- Sleep cycles
While it affects many aspects of your body and life, it is possible to survive a brain stem injury. However, the severity of the injury, the specific areas affected, and the individual's overall health will significantly impact the likelihood of survival and the potential for recovery, and the road to recovery is often long and arduous.
Recovering from a Brain Stem Injury
Individuals with brain stem injuries often need extensive medical care, which may include hospitalization, surgeries, and ongoing rehabilitation. Depending on the severity of the injury, treatment might involve:
- Surgical procedures to repair damaged tissue or control bleeding.
- Intensive care to monitor vital signs and provide essential support.
- Rehabilitation therapies, such as physical, occupational, and speech therapy, to help patients regain mobility, improve daily living skills, and address communication difficulties.
- Medications to manage pain, prevent seizures, and address other medical conditions.
- Assistive devices, like wheelchairs or braces, to support daily activities.
- Long-term care in a skilled nursing facility or assisted living community for continued, day-to-day support.
Economic damages can help compensate for these expenses, allowing individuals to focus on their recovery without the added stress of financial hardship.
Causes of Brain Stem Injuries
Brain stem injuries often result from:
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Falls, especially from significant heights
- Sports-related incidents
- Acts of violence
- Medical malpractice
Effects of Brain Stem Injuries
The effects of brain stem injuries can be devastating and long-lasting:
- Paralysis or loss of motor function
- Difficulty breathing, potentially requiring ventilator support
- Impaired consciousness or coma
- Speech and swallowing difficulties
- Vision and hearing problems
- Cognitive impairments
These effects often result in the need for lifelong care and support, dramatically impacting the victim's quality of life and financial stability. This directly impacts your non-economic damages.
When an injury significantly reduces a person's quality of life, the potential for substantial non-economic damages in a personal injury case increases. Non-economic damages, also known as general damages, are intended to compensate for intangible losses that cannot be easily quantified, such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and disfigurement.
The severity of an injury and its impact on a victim's daily activities and overall well-being are key factors in determining the amount of non-economic damages. If an injury prevents a person from participating in hobbies, pursuing a career, or maintaining relationships, the potential for significant compensation is higher. Additionally, the emotional toll of an injury, including depression or post-traumatic stress disorder, can also be substantial and contribute to the overall damage award.
Pursuing a Claim
If you're considering filing a catastrophic injury claim for a brain stem injury in South Carolina, it's crucial to seek legal representation from an attorney experienced in handling such complex cases. They can guide you through the legal process, ensure your rights are protected, and fight for the compensation you deserve to cover your current and future needs.
At Pierce, Sloan, Kennedy & Early LLC, we have decades of experience helping clients navigate personal injury claims, including those involving catastrophic injuries. If you sustain a life-altering injury, you can trust our attorneys to offer you comprehensive counsel. From calculating your damages, negotiating with the negligent party, representing you in court (if needed
Give us a call at (843) 968-0886 or reach out online today.