Serious Head Injuries from Dog Knockdown Attacks

You probably do not expect head trauma to fall on the list of the many types of injuries caused by dog bites, but it is not difficult to understand how they can occur. Large dogs do not just bite when attacking a victim, and they can easily overcome and knock a person down. As researchers from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) point out, traumatic brain injuries (TBI) are often caused by a violent bump, blow, or jolt to the head. A dog knockdown could lead a victim to fall in any direction, striking the skull on surfaces or objects.

The nature of TBI from a dog attack varies based upon the severity, type of injury, and area of the brain affected. Symptoms may be minor for some victims, but others could experience life-changing trauma. If you suffered head injuries in an attack, it is critical to reach out to an Atlanta dog knockdown lawyer for help with legal remedies. Your losses could be extreme if you sustained any of the following types of head injuries and TBI.

Contusion: This type of injury is a bruise to the brain tissue, similar to a bruise you might get after a blow on another part of the body. A contusion is more serious because of its effects on the brain, including:

• Difficulties concentrating;
• Problems with motor skills and movement;
• Tingling and numbness; and,
• Changes in thinking.

A serious contusion may be life-threatening.

 Hematoma: When blood collects and clots outside the blood vessels in the brain, it causes hematoma. The clots cause a buildup of pressure inside the skull, compressing the brain. A victim will likely lose consciousness, but a hematoma can also cause permanent brain damage.

 Skull Fracture: The bones of the skull begin to fuse together during early development, creating an almost impenetrable barrier to protect the brain. A violent blow could lead to fractures in these bones, at times causing shards of bone to cause additional harm to the brain.

 Diffuse Axonal Injury (DAI): When you strike your skull during a dog knockdown, the impact could cause the brain to shift and rotate. This motion can cause the tearing of the brain’s nerve fibers, destroying delicate tissues and affecting how the brain works. The most serious DAI could lead to a permanent vegetative state for the victim.

 Coup and Contrecoup Head Injuries: A coup injury is one that affects the area of the brain directly under the blow, potentially causing contusion or hematoma. A contrecoup head injury is one that affects the side of the brain opposite the blow. For instance, if you fall backwards and strike your head, you might receive a contrecoup head injury at the front of your brain.

Discuss Your Legal Options with a Georgia Dog Bite Lawyer Attorney

Head injuries are serious and can lead to significant losses, so please contact Zagoria Law to learn about ways to recover compensation. You can set up a no-cost case review at our offices in Atlanta by calling 404.653.0023 or visiting us online.

Source:

ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/traumatic-brain-injury-tbi