Understanding Anoxic Brain Injuries: Causes and Potential Factors.
What is an Anoxic Brain Injury?
An anoxic brain injury[1], also called anoxic encephalopathy or hypoxic brain injury, is a type of brain injury that occurs when the brain is completely deprived of oxygen. When brain tissue and neural cells receive insufficient oxygen, they begin to die, and this can lead to permanent neurological damage and disability.
The outcome of anoxic brain injury can vary across individuals. Brain cells can begin dying within 5 minutes after oxygen cut-off, and in some cases, brain injury may occur from as little as 30 seconds of oxygen deprivation.
While some people could see brain damage from as little as thirty seconds of oxygen deprivation, others might go much longer without oxygen to their brain with less damage. The extent of the deprivation of oxygen will vary significantly according to the specific injury. While some injuries could reduce oxygen and blood flow to the brain, others could entirely eliminate oxygen and blood flow. As a general rule, the brain can survive only four minutes without oxygen[2], which makes immediate action crucial when a stroke or other injury is suspected.
Keep most of this section and address what types of accidents or incidents can qualify you for pre-settlement funding related to anoxic brain injury?
Symptoms of an Anoxic Brain Injury
The symptoms of anoxic brain injury[3] can range from obvious to subtle, but each represents a serious injury. These symptoms may include:
- Seizure
- Confusion or disorientation
- Severe or chronic headaches
- Dizziness
- Weakness, numbness, or tingling
- Poor balance and coordination
- Slurred speech or impaired vision
- Irritability or aggressive behavior
- Concentration and memory issues
- Depression, anxiety, or other mental illness onset
- Sensitivity to light and noise
If someone experiences a lack of oxygen for several minutes, they may lose consciousness, collapse, pass out, or experience seizures or hallucinations. However, the brain can sometimes temporarily compensate for a lack of oxygen, potentially delaying symptoms of injury.
Causes of Anoxic Brain Injury
Any incident of impaired oxygen delivery to the brain can lead to anoxic brain injury. Slips and falls, vehicle collisions, and many other conditions or accidents can lead to compromised oxygen delivery. Other causes include:
- Cardiac arrest and stroke: Stroke, heart attack, cardiac arrhythmia, and other cardiac or pulmonary conditions can lead to hypoxic-ischemic injury, otherwise known as stagnant anoxia.
- Suffocation: Near-drowning, smoke inhalation, insufficient oxygen in the air, acute lung injury, and other types of suffocation or impairment can prevent oxygen delivery.
- Anemic hypoxia: Anemia, defined as an inadequate supply of hemoglobin to carry oxygen throughout the body, can compromise oxygen delivery to brain tissues.
- Chemical or poison consumption: Certain drugs or poisons can cause respiratory depression and reduce the body’s oxygen levels.
- Traumatic injury: Vascular injuries, hemorrhage, and other traumatic injuries from car crashes or other accidents can compromise adequate blood flow to the brain.
Categories of Anoxic Brain Injury
Doctors generally divide anoxic brain injuries into four categories or levels, each of which determines the long-term prognosis for the victim of an anoxic brain injury. They’re defined as:
- Diffuse cerebral hypoxia: Mild to moderate anoxic brain injury causing a minimal level of brain impairment
- Focal cerebral ischemia: Usually caused by a stroke that occurs in a single area of the brain
- Cerebral infarction: Refers to a stroke that occurs in multiple brain regions
- Global cerebral ischemia: Catastrophic harm resulting in a complete cessation of oxygen to the brain
The events immediately following oxygen deprivation of the brain can also determine the long-range prognosis for victims of anoxic brain injury. Treatment for an anoxic brain injury may focus on locating the precise cause of the injury and taking steps to ensure the injury won’t reoccur.
For example, if a stroke causes an anoxic brain injury, the doctor first determines the cause of the stroke, such as a blood clot. The doctor then determines how they can prevent or limit the threat of a future blood clot, cardiovascular event, or a similar issue.
Strategies that may help you or a loved one who has suffered an anoxic brain injury include:
- Speech therapy
- Support groups
- Mental health counseling
- Nutritional and exercise suppor
- Occupational therapy
- Family support
- Ongoing education about anoxic brain injuries
How USClaims Can Help Following Your Anoxic Brain Injury
If you or a loved one has experienced anoxic brain injury or associated symptoms resulting from a personal injury or accident, you may require financial assistance. You may also be unable to work as a result of your auto accident, making it difficult to pay basic monthly expenses.
If you or a loved one are struggling with expenses or even getting treatment for anoxic brain injuries, we can help. Our pre-settlement funding can help you pay your costs, lost wages, and other unexpected expenses in anticipation of a court judgment or settlement.
What is pre-settlement funding for an anoxic brain injury lawsuit?
Pre-settlement funding provides a plaintiff who has experienced anoxic brain injury with a cash advance against anticipated financial compensation from a claim. This cash advance isn’t a loan but instead functions as a sale of a portion of the expected settlement or court award for a personal injury case. Pre-settlement funding is nonrecourse, which means you don’t owe the cash advance back if you don’t settle your case favorably.
How long does it take for you to get approved for pre-settlement funding anoxic brain injury lawsuit?
Approval can take as little as 24 hours. To approve your application, you and your attorney will need to speak with us about your claim. There’s no credit report or proof of employment requirements. Instead, we base your approval solely on the merits of your claim.
How Much Money Can You Get Through Pre-Settlement Funding Related to an Anoxic Brain Injury?
Depending on the details of the brain injury claim, you’re eligible for approximately 10% of the value of the case. Litigation funding also requires a fee paid out of the settlement, calculated on a case-by-case basis. At USClaims, we take pride in delivering low rates and capped fees, so there are no unexpected surprises for you. Call 1-877-USCLAIMS today for the information you need.
FAQs
What can you use pre-settlement funding related to your anoxic brain injury for?
Once you receive your pre-settlement funding, you may use it at your discretion toward anything you need throughout the claims process. This can include legal costs as well as personal expenses such as housing, food, utilities, and medical care.
What happens if you receive pre-settlement funding and your case settles for less than the amount of the advance in your anoxic brain injury lawsuit?
If your anoxic brain injury case settles for less than the pre-funded amount, we will work with your attorney to find a suitable compromise.
Sources
- Lacerte, Myriam, and Fassil B. Mesfin. “Hypoxic Brain Injury.” PubMed, StatPearls Publishing, 2020, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537310/.
- “CPR – Adult and Child after Onset of Puberty: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia.” Medlineplus.gov, medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000013.htm.
- “Acquired Brain Injury.” Tpwd.texas.gov, 17 Aug. 2020, www.hhs.texas.gov/services/disability/office-acquired-brain-injury.
