Despite its importance to the human body, your brain is a fragile organ. Any number of common injuries may lead to a cerebral laceration. These lacerations might result in mild to severe cognitive impairment causing monetary setbacks that go far beyond medical bills, as you may no longer be able to work after a head injury. It’s important to know the signs and symptoms of lacerations so you can seek proper treatment and find an attorney to help you recover monetary damages.
How Cerebral Lacerations Occur
A laceration is an actual tearing of brain tissue, rather than a simple contusion or bruise. Any of these accidents can lead to cerebral lacerations:
- Slip and fall
- Vehicle crash
- Workplace accident caused by your employer’s negligence
- Direct violence
The cut itself occurs when a sharp blow to the head causes the skull to fracture and pierce the brain, or when the brain strikes a ridge on the skull. Lacerations can still occur without any actual penetration or fracturing of the skull, however. Tearing may take place if the brain quickly and violently twists and moves inside the head during an accident.
While the laceration itself is dangerous and may create life-long medical issues, it can also lead to devastating secondary effects. In particular, the laceration may cause swelling in the brain due to bleeding.
What to Do After a Cerebral Laceration
Cerebral tears can occur even if you don’t lose consciousness or suffer any immediate cognitive difficulties after the accident. Because of the potential for serious health problems, it is important to see a doctor after any head injury to determine if a laceration has occurred. Cerebral laceration treatment may require an extended hospital stay so you can be monitored for swelling, ensure your brain is receiving enough oxygen, and manage pain.
A doctor visit also establishes a paper trail on your injury so an insurance carrier or at-fault party can’t claim the damage to your brain occurred in a previous incident. If someone else caused your cerebral tear, you should contact an experienced attorney focused on traumatic brain injury cases to determine who is legally at fault for your injury and seek compensation.
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