What’s the Difference Between a Closed and Open Head Injury?

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What’s the Difference Between a Closed and Open Head Injury?

Brain injuries can result from closed or open injuries caused by accidents or objects penetrating the skull. It is necessary to distinguish between these types of injuries for accurate diagnosis, proper treatment, and legal options. Victims suffering from brain injuries caused by someone else’s negligentce or recklessness ymay be eligible for compensation. The Pennsylvania brain injury attorneys at Cordisco & Saile LLC have experience helping clients receive justice for their injuries.

When an external force penetrates the skull and causes damage to the brain, this is known as an open head injury. In contrast, closed head injuries result from blunt force trauma rather than visible penetration of the skull. Knowing the differences between open and closed head injuries ensures accurate diagnosis and proper treatment.

In either case, brain injuries can cause devastating effects that impact a person physically, emotionally, and financially. When the injury results from by negligence or recklessness, the victim may be eligible for compensation.

At Cordisco & Saile, our experienced Pennsylvania brain injury attorneys are skilled in advocating for clients and helping them pursue justice and rightful compensation for their injuries. Whether you have suffered an open or closed brain injury caused by someone else, our legal team is ready to assist you.

What Causes Open Head Injuries?

Some of the common causes of open head injuries include the following:

Motor vehicle accidents
Gunshot wounds
Sharp objects
Falls

Since these wounds are open, there is a higher risk of exposure to serious infection. The severity of the injury depends on the amount of force, the extent of penetration, and the injury’s location.

What Causes Closed Head Injuries?

Closed head injuries can be the result of:

Falls
Sports-related injuries
Motor vehicle accidents

These traumatic injuries cause internal damage to the brain. While there may be no external indications of an injury, the forceful impact can cause the brain to bruise, bleed, and swell. These injuries can range in severity from mild concussions to traumatic brain injuries.

What Is the Treatment for a Closed Head Injury?

The treatment of a closed head injury depends on the severity of the trauma. Mild cases can be managed by rest and monitoring symptoms, such as headaches, dizziness, and confusion. Over-the-counter pain relievers may alleviate discomfort.

Even mild closed-head injuries demand close monitoring as symptoms can worsen over time. Doctors may recommend physical, occupational, and speech therapy to aid in the recovery process and help the individual regain lost functions.

What Is the Treatment for an Open Head Injury?

Immediate medical attention is required for open head injuries since there is a high risk of infection. Generally, emergency surgical intervention is necessary to remove foreign objects, repair skull fractures, and address bleeding and swelling.

Ongoing care and rehabilitation may also be needed to treat cognitive and physical impairments resulting from the injury. The recovery process can be complex and lengthy, requiring multi-level care with a team of health care professionals.

What Are the Long-Term Effects of Head Injuries?

Whether closed or open, head injuries can cause lasting effects on an individual’s physical, cognitive, and emotional well-being. Medical professionals must address the long-term implications of head injuries to promote recovery and enhance a person’s overall quality of life.

Some of the long-term effects of head injuries may include the following:

Cognitive impairments: Some functions, such as memory, attention, problem-solving, and decision-making, can be significantly impacted by head injuries. Individuals may encounter challenges with concentration, learning new information, and processing information as rapidly as before the injury.
Physical impairments: Muscle weakness, balance issues, coordination difficulties, and changes in vision or hearing can result from head injuries. Rehabilitation can improve strength and mobility through physical therapy. In addition, occupational therapy and specialized treatments can address the ability to perform daily activities and manage specific physical impairments.
Emotional and behavioral changes: Many individuals with head injuries undergo behavioral and emotional changes. They may experience mood swings, irritability, anxiety, depression, and impulse control problems. Psychologists or neuropsychologists can effectively assess and treat these issues.

While some individuals require ongoing support and therapy for an extended period, others experience significant progress within a shorter timeframe. Rehabilitation is a coordinated effort that involves health care professionals, such as physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, psychologists, and social workers. Patients and their families can confidently navigate their recovery journey by understanding the challenges and using available resources to treat closed and open head injuries.

Can You Sue for an Open or Closed Head Injury?

You may have a case to pursue compensation for your open or closed head injury. However, it will depend on the circumstances surrounding the injury. For instance, you may have a strong case if a property owner’s negligence led to your head injury in a slip-and-fall accident or someone’s reckless driving led to a crash.

In personal injury cases, you may be able to seek economic or economic damages. These damages can include:

Medical bills and rehabilitation costs
Lost wages and earning potential
Other expenses related to personal property damage
Emotional distress
Loss of companionship
Pain and suffering

In extreme cases, you could recover punitive damages if the guilty party was overly negligent or reckless in their actions. Determining liability is vital in these cases. For that reason, you will need to work with an experienced Pennsylvania injury attorney to analyze the details of your situation and determine if legal action is viable.

Trust Experienced Car Accident Injury Lawyers at Cordisco & Saile LLC

When dealing with the aftermath of a head injury, having a knowledgeable and experienced car accident lawyer on your side is essential. Also, time is of the essence when it comes to your injury claim, as the statute of limitations in Pennsylvania expires in just two years from the date of the incident. You need to act quickly in pursuing your case.

The legal team at Cordisco & Saile is here to help. Our trusted law firm proudly serves clients in Bensalem, Bucks County, Montgomery County, the Lehigh Valley, and surrounding areas.

We have garnered recognition for outstanding legal services. Our unwavering commitment to excellence has earned us prestigious awards and accolades in the legal profession. These notable distinctions speak to our dedication to providing exceptional legal representation:

The National Trial Lawyers – Brain Injury Top 25
Nation’s Top One Percent by the National Association of Distinguished Counsel
Pennsylvania Super Lawyers Personal Injury Law Expertise

At Cordisco & Saile, our clients’ needs and interests are our top priority. We understand the immense impact a personal injury can have on your life, and we are fully committed to offering personalized legal representation that is both empathetic and effective.

Our firm boasts an impressive track record of securing positive client results. We have secured substantial brain injury settlements and verdicts in a wide range of cases, including:

$10,000,000 for brain and spinal cord injuries from a truck accident
$2,900,000 for brain injuries due to a Bucks County motorcycle accident
$1,000,000 for brain injuries sustained in a car accident

Like thousands of our personal injury clients, rely on us to be your advocate throughout the legal process. We have received hundreds of stellar client testimonials giving feedback such as this:

“I highly recommend Cordisco & Saile LLC without any hesitation.”
“Never felt alone throughout the process and worth every penny.”

Contact Our Pennsylvania Brain Injury Attorneys Today

Differentiating between closed and open head injuries is crucial for accurate diagnosis, treatment, and pursuing legal options. Reaching out to an experienced brain injury lawyer at Cordisco & Saile can help you protect your rights and seek compensation, especially if you or a loved one has suffered a head injury due to someone else’s negligence.