Altered Consciousness Due To A Traumatic Brain Injury
When a person sustains a traumatic brain injury (TBI), he or she may lose consciousness due to widespread or severe brain damage. In some cases, these injured individuals can recover from this altered consciousness. They regain their full sense of awareness and ability to respond to stimuli. However, in more serious instances, a person may slip into a long-term or permanent loss of consciousness. That leaves the individual unable to interact with the world around him or her.
At Hach & Rose, LLP, our personal injury attorneys are dedicated to helping New York families whose loved ones have suffered traumatic brain injuries because of someone else’s negligence. We believe in providing a powerful voice for our clients. They deserve a fair opportunity to seek justice for their injured loved ones.
Types of Altered Consciousness
A TBI victim can suffer various types of altered consciousness depending on the location and severity of the injury. The following consciousness-related concerns may arise after a brain injury:
- Coma, in which the injured individual is unconscious and cannot respond to stimuli at all
- Locked-in syndrome, where a person may be fully conscious but cannot move his or her body outside of small gestures such as the blinking of an eyelid
- In a vegetative state, the injured individual isn’t aware of his or her surroundings. But they have a limited ability to respond to certain stimuli.
- A minimally consciousness state where the person is partially aware of his or her surroundings. They can respond to certain stimuli but may be extremely confused or disoriented.
An injured individual may progress between these states as he or she recovers with treatment if the individual’s injuries are such that he or she may recover. In the most severe cases, though, a person may permanently remain in a state of lost or altered consciousness.
Contact a Head Injuries Lawyer in New York
If someone you love has fallen into an altered state of consciousness from traumatic brain injuries because of another person’s negligent conduct, you may be able to take legal action to fight for compensation for that loved one’s injury expenses. To discuss your options with a dedicated traumatic brain injury lawyer, contact an attorney from Hach & Rose, LLP at (212) 779-0057 today.