Hyperbaric chamber treatments have been used for many years to treat:

• the bends (decompression sickness)
• carbon monoxide poisoning
• gangrene
• thermal burns
• bone infections
• skin grafts
• tissue infections
• wounds that will not heal due to poor circulation

According to the advocate.com, “Dr. Paul Harch, a clinical associate professor with the LSU Interim Public Hospital in New Orleans, presented the cases of 15 military veterans [Iraq] during a meeting of the Eighth World Congress of the International Brain Injury Association in Washington, D.C. The cases all involved veterans who were helped by the treatments. The study shows a 15-point increase in IQ in little more than a month, great reduction in depression, four times the expected improvements in . . . headaches and sleep disturbances, and great improvements in post-traumatic stress disorder.”

The cost of hyberbaric chamber treatments vary greatly according to the facility, as does the number of recommended treatments for optimal cell regeneration. The treatments have been shown to be effective even 2-3 years after the traumatic brain injury.

This information is provided as a service from TSR Injury Lawyers, a leading personal injury law firm serving Minneapolis, St. Paul, Bloomington, and the entire state of Minnesota. Our personal injury attorneys have years of experience negotiating and litigating traumatic brain injury cases, including a recent settlement for $600,000. If you would like to speak to a Minnesota Personal Injury Attorney call 612-362-0000 or submit a comment.

• cognitive
• motor
• behavioral
• language
• executive functioning

This information allows for the diagnosis of a cognitive deficit or the confirmation of a diagnosis. This is especially helpful in less obvious cases of traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Neuropsychological evaluation provides essential insight into the psychological functioning of an individual. Modern imaging techniques (MRI, x-ray, etc.) have limited ability to provide insight into the functioning of the brain. The tests performed in a neuropsychological evaluation must be interpreted by a trained, experienced neuropsychologist to be the most beneficial to the patient and to carry the most weight in the courtroom.

Someone with traumatic brain injury may have areas of competence and appear to function normally and still have significant cognitive problems in certain areas of brain function. That is why it is vital to have the testing interpreted accurately and with enough background on the person prior to the injury. The neuropsychologist needs to evaluate:

• educational records
• medical records
• employment records
• diaries
• recreational activities
• interviews with family, friends, and co-workers

All of these factors will help determine the extent of the injury and provide assistance in guiding effective treatment for the rehabilitation of impaired patients. These facts will paint “before” and “after” pictures of the victim. This will have a great impact on the jury, judge, adjuster, or defense counsel.

In a trial, a major duty of the plaintiff’s attorney is to educate the jury about the specialty of neuropsychology — the credentials of the neuropsychologist and the reliability and validity of the testing. That is why it is of utmost importance to hire a law firm with experience and competency in cases involving neuropsychological evaluations.

This information is provided as a service of TSR Injury Law. Our partners are seasoned veterans and will zealously advocate for the victims of TBI from car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, or pedestrian accidents. Call 612-362-0000 or submit our contact form.

When the brain is denied oxygen, it triggers two automatic cerebral events in an effort to maintain oxygen supply.

• 1. Following a cerebral anoxic event, of sufficient duration, the neurons are subject to an influx of sodium causing swelling and further injury to the brain. There is also an influx of calcium and the formation of oxygen free radicals. Oxygen free radicals are hyperactive and cause cellular injury by changing the molecular components of the cell.
• 2. The second mechanism that activates automatically, to compensate for lack of oxygen, is cerebral blood flow recirculation. While larger caliber vessels are thought to respond effectively to recirculation, the capillaries and smaller vessels may be so damaged that they are unable to resume normal blood flow resulting in blood pooling and damage to cerebral cortex.

Causes of Cerebral Anoxia

Cerebral anoxia can be caused by any one of these events:

• medical malpractice
• anesthesia errors
• carbon-monoxide poisoning
• smoke inhalation
• near-drowning
• oxygen deprivation during birth (often resulting in cerebral palsy)
• accident with excessive loss of blood

Consequences of Cerebral Anoxia

After a cerebral anoxic event, the brain of the victim is altered. Those alterations are manifested in many ways, including:

• extensive memory loss or disturbances
• changes in personality
• impulsive
• lack of concern
• lack of emotional expression
• irritability
• poor judgment
• decrease in motor coordination
• changes in behavior
• visual spatial deficits
• trouble articulating

Prognosis for Cerebral Anoxia

There can be varying degrees of recovery from cerebral anoxia. The long-term prognosis depends on how long the brain was without oxygen, how extensively the brain cells were damaged, and which area of the brain was most damaged. Even in the best case scenario, there can be permanent psychological and neurological damage. Comprehensive neuropsychological evaluations are imperative in cerebral anoxia cases in order to provide the most effective treatment planning and rehabilitation for the patient.

This information is provided by TSR Injury Law. We have a proven record of success, with large recoveries and settlements, in complex traumatic brain injury cases. Steve Terry, Chuck Slane, and Rich Ruohonen are skilled, aggressive litigators with years of experience. Call 612-362-0000or submit our free consultation form.

• may or may not have a loss of consciousness for a few seconds or minutes – don’t rely on this to exclusively determine a brain injury or whether to seek medical treatment
• headache – the more severe the brain damage the more persistent the headache
• confusion
• lightheadedness
• dizziness
• blurred vision or tired eyes
• ringing in the ears
• bad taste in the mouth
• fatigue or lethargy
• a change in sleep patterns
• behavioral or mood changes / personality change
• trouble with memory, concentration, attention, or thinking
• repeated vomiting or nausea
• convulsions or seizures
• an inability to awaken from sleep
• dilation of one or both pupils of the eyes
• slurred speech
• weakness or numbness in the extremities
• loss of coordination
• restlessness or agitation
• coma

What to Do if You Suspect TBI

If someone is exhibiting any of the above symptoms, they should receive medical attention as soon as possible. Because little can be done to reverse the initial brain damage caused by trauma, medical personnel try to stabilize an individual with TBI and focus on preventing further injury. Of utmost importance is:

• proper oxygen supply to the brain and the rest of the body
• maintaining adequate blood flow
• controlling blood pressure

Imaging tests can help with diagnosis and prognosis. Imaging that may be recommended:

• skull and neck X-rays to check for bone fractures or spinal instability
• computed tomography (CT) scan for moderate or severe cases –will show location and shape of hemorrhage

This information is provided by TSR Injury Law. Our attorneys are consistently named Super Lawyers by their peers and Chuck Slane has been voted one of the 2008 Minnesota Top 40 Personal Injury Lawyers. Our attorneys have years of experience with personal injury law, have a stellar reputation, and have secured millions in compensation for our clients. They have proven their expertise in TBI cases with many settlements in the millions. Call 612-362-0000 or submit our contact form.

Costs of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

The costs associated with traumatic brain injuries are staggering in both economic and emotional ways. Nearly 100% of patients with severe head trauma and almost 70% of those with moderate head trauma will be permanently disabled to some extent and will never return to their full functioning capacity. In the U.S. alone, the direct cost of care for patients with TBI is estimated at more than $25 billion annually – excluding inpatient care.

The relational / interpersonal costs are more difficult to assess, but can be extensive. Very often the patient seems and is a different person with different thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. When the brain has suffered damage, behavior is impacted in these three ways:

• Intellect (information handling of behavior)
• Emotional (feelings and experiential consciousness)
• Control (how behavior is expressed)

Information on Brain Injury Symptoms

Types of Brain Injuries

TBI may be divided into two main categories, closed head injury and penetrating head injury. Brain injuries can then be further broken down into specific classifications:

• Skull Fractures
• Coup and Contrecoup Brain Injuries
• Concussions
• Post-Concussive Syndrome
• Subdural Hematoma
• Cerebral Anoxia
• Shaken Baby Syndrome

This information is provided by TSR Injury Law. Our attorneys are consistently named Super Lawyers by their peers and Chuck Slane has been voted one of the 2008 Minnesota Top 40 Personal Injury Lawyers. Our attorneys have years of experience with personal injury law, have a stellar reputation, and have secured millions in compensation for our clients. They have proven their expertise in TBI cases with many settlements in the millions. Call 612-362-0000 or submit our contact form.