Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) can happen as a result of just about any form of physical trauma; on-the-job accidents, motor vehicle collisions, and recreational sports activity may make up the majority of ways that people might suffer a brain injury, but the true number of potential causes is seemingly infinite.
When someone suffers a more severe form of TBI, the body may resort to shutting down and enter into a comatose state, also referred to as a coma. A person in a coma has a brain that is functioning at the lowest possible level of physical alertness and activity.
What Causes A Person To Go Into A Coma?
Comas are caused for a variety of reasons, and the most common a personal injury claim are caused by head trauma from either a severe fall or collision. The body shuts down to preserve energy or avoid overly straining the brain any further than it already has.
At Davis Law Group, our personal injury attorneys often encounter comatose patients who have been seriously injured in motor vehicle collisions or due to serious falls, either on the job or due to a negligent building design.
What Is The Recovery Like For Coma Patients?
A coma is as a prolonged state of unconsciousness. A person in a coma cannot speak, their eyes are closed, and they cannot obey commands. Comatose patients do not experience normal sleep-wake cycles like they would have before the coma, and you cannot wake a comatose patient.
Comas can last from hours to days to months or even years. Depending on the length of the coma, the permanent damage to the brain can be very severe. In some instances, a doctor will medically induce a coma to prevent further damage to the brain. These types of comas are typically used to protect the brain during a major neurosurgery.
Some coma patients make a full recovery after waking from the comatose state, while others may suffer further brain damage due to the lack of brain activity and other medical issues that may arise.
Consult With A Brain Injury Lawyer
If you or a loved one has suffered a severe traumatic brain injury and was in a state of comatose as a result, you may feel anxious about the costly medical bills and other financial losses that you have suffered as a result of this injury. Consulting with an experienced brain injury lawyer in your area may be beneficial if you believe the injury was caused by someone else's negligence.
The award-winning traumatic brain injury lawyers at Davis Law Group are here to help you better understand your legal rights and options after a life-changing injury. Call our office in Seattle at (206) 727-4000 to request a free legal consultation with our team today.
