What is an Anoxic Brain Injury?
June 22, 2020
Anoxic brain injuries occur when the brain does not get the oxygen it needs to optimal functioning. If the brain does not receive enough oxygen, for even just a few moments, this can cause cells inside of the brain tissue to die. There are various ways that anoxic brain injuries occur. This can include complications caused by internal medical emergencies as well as traumatic incidents.
Why are anoxic brain injuries so devastating?
Our brains require a continual flow of oxygen to function normally. An anoxic brain injury, also commonly referred to as a hypoxic-anoxic brain injury, occurs when the flow of oxygen to the brain is disrupted. The “hypoxia” refers to a partial lack of oxygen to the brain, while “anoxic” refers to a total lack of oxygen to the brain.
A diminished lack of oxygen to the brain can lead to significant cognitive impairment as well as severe physical and psychological disruption. In some cases, recovery from a hypoxic or anoxic brain event is possible, but this largely depends on what part of the brain is affected as well as how well a victim responds to cognitive and physical therapy. The pace and extent of recovery in these situations are usually unpredictable. A full recovery from an anoxic brain injury is rare.
What causes anoxic brain injuries?
There are various causes of anoxic brain injuries. This includes the following:
- Hypoxic-ischemic injury: This is also called stagnant anoxia and can occur when oxygen-carrying blood is unable to reach the brain, resulting in oxygen deprivation. This type of anoxic brain injury is usually caused by a stroke, but it can also be caused by other conditions such as cardiac arrhythmia and cardiac arrest.
- Anemic anoxia: This type of anoxic brain injury occurs when the blood is not able to properly carry enough oxygen or if there is not enough blood inside the body to support the oxygen that the brain needs. This can often be caused by a traumatic incident that causes significant blood loss.
- Toxic anoxia: This type of anoxic brain injury occurs when there are chemicals or poisons inside of a person’s body that prevent the brain from receiving enough oxygen to the brain cells.
- Anoxic anoxia: While the name sounds strange, anoxic anoxia is caused by a lack of oxygen in the air resulting in a person suffocating.
What if another person causes someone else’s anoxic brain injury?
If you or somebody you love has sustained an anoxic brain injury caused by the negligence of another person, you may be entitled to significant compensation. Some of the ways that other people may be responsible for these injuries could include:
- Car accidents
- Medical malpractice
- Birth injuries
- Pool or hot tub accidents
- Dangerous property conditions
- and more
In these cases, it may be possible to secure compensation from an alleged negligent party through a personal injury or medical malpractice claim. Some of the types of compensation available in these instances are:
- Coverage of all medical bills related to the anoxic brain injury
- Coverage of lost income or lost earning capacity
- Pain and suffering damages
- Loss of enjoyment of life damages
- Possible punitive damages against an alleged negligent party
If a person loses their life due to an anoxic brain injury caused by someone else, then the family members of the deceased may be able to recover compensation by filing a wrongful death lawsuit with the help of an Orange County brain injury lawyer against the alleged negligent party.