Brain injuries can be referred to as acquired or traumatic. Or sometimes both. What’s the difference?
Horton & Mendez Injury Attorneys explains the differences between acquired and traumatic brain injury.
How Are Acquired and Traumatic Brain Injuries Different?
An acquired brain injury is a brain injury that happens after a person is born. Traumatic brain injury is a type of acquired brain injury that results from force or an injury.
Defining Acquired vs. Traumatic Brain Injury
Acquired and traumatic brain injury are not opposites. All traumatic brain injuries are acquired since they all happen after birth. However, an acquired brain injury may or may not be traumatic.
Acquired
The primary question for whether a brain injury is acquired is when it happens. If a person is born with a brain abnormality, it is not acquired. If the brain injury occurs or develops after birth, they acquire the injury.
Traumatic
The question of whether a brain injury is traumatic is how it happens. A traumatic brain injury is caused by trauma—that means force, whether it is struck, pierced, or injured. Something happens that damages the brain acutely or suddenly. The injury damages the brain, usually changing how it functions.
Congenital
Another term that is important to know in the context of acquired and traumatic brain injury is congenital. A brain injury is congenital if the person has it from birth. In other words, it is a physical abnormality that is present when a person is born.
A brain injury is congenital or acquired. An acquired brain injury is either traumatic or non-traumatic, depending on the cause.
Causes of Acquired Brain Injuries
- Stroke, cardiovascular disease, blood pressure fluctuation
- Aneurysm, vascular hemorrhage (blood vessel rupture and bleeding)
- Tumors, cancer
- Oxygen deprivation
- Infection
- Toxic exposure, chemicals, poisoning
- Inflammation, infection, encephalitis, meningitis
- Traumatic brain injury
- Brain damage from alcohol and drugs
There are factors, such as age, previous medical conditions and overall health, that may contribute to an acquired brain injury. Prompt treatment may minimize the effects of an acquired brain injury.
Common Causes of Traumatic Brain Injuries
- Car accidents
- Falls
- Objects piercing the skull
- Explosions
- Electrical accidents, electrocution
- Sports injuries
- Crushing injury
- Animal attacks
- Equipment malfunctions, workplace accidents
- Hunting and firearm accidents
- Assault and battery, attacks, abuse
Unique Symptoms of Acquired Brain Injuries
When a person develops an acquired brain injury, they may experience symptoms, such as the following:
- Loss of consciousness
- Pain, headaches
- Poor coordination, weakness, falling, involuntary muscle movement
- Cognitive difficulties, trouble thinking and processing information
- Speech abnormalities, difficulty understanding and responding to speech
- Sleeping too much or too little, insomnia
- Loss of voluntary movement, changes in bodily function
- Trouble functioning normally
- Seizure
- Dizziness
- Sensory impairment including sensitivity
Symptoms may be immediate or may appear gradually. When symptoms are delayed, a person may not notice them right away. When a person sustains trauma, they should seek appropriate medical attention because of the potential for brain injury.
How Treatment Differs for Acquired and Traumatic Brain Injuries
The appropriate treatment for an acquired or traumatic brain injury depends on the specific injury. For example, a brain aneurysm may require a craniotomy to remove part of the skull and place a metal clip to stop blood flow. On the other hand, a concussion may be treated with rest and rehabilitation. If a person sustains a penetrating brain injury, they may need surgery to remove the object and mitigate pressure in the brain. A person with a critical injury may need emergency surgery, breathing support, or other stabilizing measures.
Most traumatic brain injuries are an urgent medical issue, but they vary in severity. An acquired brain injury is likely also an urgent matter, as the speed of response may impact patient outcome.
Rehabilitation Needs for Different Types of Brain Injuries
Rehabilitation for a brain injury may involve the following:
- Physical therapy, coordination, strength and flexibility
- Speech therapy, adaptive speech devices
- Personal skills training like dressing and personal hygiene
- Emotional regulation support
- Building memory, attention and executive management
- Mental health treatment and counseling
- Addressing employment and vocational needs
- Diet and nutrition plan
Rehabilitation for a brain injury depends on what the injury is, how severe it is, the overall health of the victim and healthcare goals developed for the patient.
Understanding Long-Term Outcomes and Prognosis
The prognosis for an acquired or traumatic brain injury depends on the likely course of the injury, its severity, care provided, and personal characteristics of the patient. Brain injuries vary significantly—some may make a full recovery while others may have lifelong impact or a fatal injury. Some injuries have a clear prognosis while others may be uncertain.
Legal Evaluation of Acquired and Traumatic Brain Injuries
Someone with an acquired or traumatic brain injury may have a claim for financial compensation. Even when a brain injury is acquired, there may be a party with legal liability. For example, if a brain injury results from a lack of oxygen, the underlying reason may be the legal negligence of another. A medical condition may be the result of taking a dangerous drug. Liability may exist from medical professionals failing to diagnose in a timely manner.
An acquired brain injury may also be a medical issue with no one at fault. However, if it results from negligence, recklessness, or intentional conduct of another person or party, the victim may have a claim.
Similarly, a traumatic brain injury may be the basis for compensation. When a car accident, fall, or other accident is legally someone else’s fault, or when harm is intentional, the person may have the right to monetary compensation.
Contact an Experienced Gastonia Personal Injury Lawyer
Have you or a loved one suffered an acquired or traumatic brain injury? Contact an experienced Gastonia personal injury lawyer. Horton & Mendez Injury Attorneys represents clients in claims for compensation, including acquired and traumatic brain injury claims. We can evaluate who may have legal responsibility and what your claim may be worth. Contact us now.
