A penetrating brain injury is a very serious injury because it means an object goes through the skin and the skull. These injuries are particularly serious because of the damage they cause to various tissues as the object penetrates.
When the object penetrates, a small area of the brain can be damaged. This is the area that is directly affected by the object. It is also possible for a larger area of the brain to be affected. This occurs if areas away from the penetrating injury are damaged because of pressure or other forces.
Penetrating brain injuries can be caused by a host of accidents, including motor vehicle accidents and sports-related injuries. Even a fall can lead to a penetrating brain injury.
There are many symptoms associated with a penetrating brain injury. One of the most obvious would be bleeding from the head. Loss of consciousness, bleeding from the ears, loss of bladder or bowel function, difficulty breathing and paralysis are also possible. The actual symptoms and the severity of those symptoms are dependent upon the location and severity of the injury.
Treating a penetrating brain injury requires medical care. Stabilization is the first priority. After that, surgery and medications might be used to treat the injury. In almost all cases, rehabilitation is required so the patient can try to recover as much function as possible.
If you have suffered from a penetrating brain injury because of an accident that someone else caused, you might choose to seek compensation. If compensation is awarded, it could help you to afford the medical care and rehab that you need.
Source: TriStar Southern Hills, “Penetrating Brain Injury,” accessed Sep. 30, 2016