Suffered a Focal Brain Injury? Our Firm Can Help
A focal brain injury is a kind of traumatic brain injury (TBI) that is localized to one region of the brain, whereas other TBIs may affect multiple regions. Due to the physical damage being contained to one region, the symptoms and results of focal injuries may be slightly easier to predict; however, they also may be just as dangerous and varied as any other TBI and often occur in tandem with non-localized TBIs.
Talk to a Los Angeles focal brain injury lawyer about your case or contact our firm to schedule a no-cost consultation.
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Focal Brain Injury Resources In This Article:
- What is a Focal Brain Injury?
- Symptoms of a Focal Brain Injury
- Long Term Effects of Focal Brain Injuries
- Rehabilitation from a Focal Brain Injury
- Compensation & Liability For Focal Brain Injuries
What is a Focal Brain Injury?
A focal brain injury is a brain injury that occurs entirely in one region of the brain, in contrast to “diffuse” brain injuries, which may involve multiple areas of the brain. Focal and diffuse brain injuries are two different kinds of traumatic brain injuries or TBIs, but it is possible for them to occur in the same person, such as a diffuse injury caused by whiplash (or sudden acceleration and deceleration) during a car accident, with a focal injury occurring at the conclusion of the whiplash as the head strikes an object inside the vehicle or another occupant.
Because focal injuries are contained to one region, the results of the injury can be easier to predict. However, that does not mean they are any less dangerous than diffuse injuries. This also does not preclude the impairment of multiple physiological and psychological functions.
Focal brain injuries commonly occur due to the head hitting something or brain lesions that decrease or cease the supply of blood to a particular brain region.
There are many different types of focal brain injuries, including:
- Cerebral contusions, or brain bruises
- Lacerations
- Hemorrhages or bleeding such as intraventricular, intracerebral, subdural, and epidural
The severity of the TBI is determined by numerous factors, including the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), the duration of the patient’s loss of consciousness after the injury, or the presence of amnesia. Additional factors can also be considered, including the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS), the Functional Independence Measure (FIM), and the Disability Rating Scale (DRS).
Symptoms of a Focal Brain Injury
TBIs, such as focal brain injuries, are associated with acute and long-lasting disabilities, as well as being a leading cause of death for persons 45 years of age and older. Vehicular collisions are one of the most prevalent causes.
The physical symptoms of mild TBIs include loss of consciousness for seconds or minutes, headaches, nausea, fatigue, difficulties with sleeping or speech, dizziness, and loss of balance. Sensory and cognitive symptoms which result from a mild TBI can include blurred vision, ringing in the ears, light or sound sensitivity, difficulties with memory and concentration, irritability, sudden mood swings, depression, and anxiety.
The physical symptoms of moderate to severe TBIs include prolonged loss of consciousness, persistent headaches and nausea, dilation of one or both pupils, swelling or bruising, lethargy, loss of coordination, and difficulty with speech or breathing. Sensory and cognitive symptoms that can result from the injury include blurred or double vision, changes in smell and taste, pronounced confusion, irritability, and depressive mood.
Medical treatment should always be sought for a suspected TBI, as even relatively mild symptoms may precede more serious ones
Long Term Effects of Focal Brain Injuries
Between 80 and 90 thousand people who suffer a TBI each year will develop long-term disabilities related to the injury. The ongoing complications from the injury include insomnia, cognitive decline, aphasia (aka communication difficulties), posttraumatic seizures, posttraumatic depression, spasticity, hydrocephalus, chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), paralysis, deep vein thrombosis, and gastrointestinal- genitourinary complications.
Studies suggest there may also be concussion-related effects in the aftermath of focal injury, such as degradation to oculomotor tracking, reaction time abilities, memory, chronic pain, and fine motor skills (like buttoning a shirt). Unfortunately, this constellation of physical, mental, and emotional difficulties also correlates with trouble making and maintaining social relationships, including those necessary for work and school.
Rehabilitation from a Focal Brain Injury
The complexity of focal injuries is matched by a wide variety of potential treatments. This variety is partially due to the fact that no two brain injuries are exactly the same, requiring physicians to consider all of the specific injury’s factors, from cause and location to overall severity.
The treatment for TBI may be as simple as getting enough rest to surgical intervention to remove blood clots, repair skull fractures, or relieve intracranial pressure. Medications like anticoagulants to prevent blood clots and anticonvulsants to prevent seizures may also be used.
After the initial treatment, a host of rehabilitation therapies may also be employed through the help of specialists, such as:
- Physical therapy to regain strength and dexterity
- Speech therapy to improve language or communication
- Cognitive therapy to help restore some memory
- Occupational therapy to assist in relearning how to perform essential activities
Psychological and vocational counseling may also be needed following a focal brain injury. The goal of the therapies and counseling is to restore as much quality of life as possible.
Compensation & Liability For Focal Brain Injuries
Persons who suffer a TBI as a result of another’s wrongful conduct can seek compensation for the nature and extent of the injuries and damages they suffered and will likely continue to suffer into the future. Such injuries and damages include past, present, and future loss of enjoyment of life, pain, suffering, emotional distress, anxiety, depression, inconvenience, and disfigurement.
Our team stands ready to help you or your loved one get the compensation and closure you or your loved one deserves in the aftermath of a focal brain injury. For additional information on the implications of a brain injury, visit our brain injury page.
(323) 653-6311
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Banner image from Unsplash
ARTICLE BY
ARMEN AKARAGIAN
Admitted to practice in 2006, Armen has arbitrated, tried, and settled several cases which have resulted in multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements.
Sources cited in this article:
- Focal Brain Injury – SpinalCord.com
- Focal Brain Injury – Acquired Brain Injury eLearning
- Focal Brain Injury: Understanding the Causes, Symptoms, & Treatments – FlintRehab
- Overview of Traumatic Brain Injury – Physiopedia
- Primary and Secondary Brain Injury – Science Direct
- Functional Independence Measure – Science Direct
- Traumatic Brain Injury and Epilepsy – Epilepsy Foundation
- Glasgow Coma Scale – GCS
- Disability Rating Scale – Medscape
- Traumatic Brain Injury Long-Term Effects, Symptoms, and Treatment – Cognitivefx
- What Impact Will Moderate or Severe TBI Have on a Person’s Life? – Brainline
- Classification and Complications of Traumatic Brain Injury – Medscape
- Long-term effects of mild traumatic brain injuries to oculomotor tracking performances and reaction times to simple environmental stimuli – Scientific Reports
- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): Nursing Diagnoses & Care Plans – Nurse Together
- What are the treatments for traumatic brain injury (TBI)? – NIH
- Cognitive rehabilitation of patients with focal brain damage – NIH
