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What is a Coup Brain Injury?
A coup-contrecoup injury is actually an injury that is divided into two parts. The “coup” portion of the injury occurs on the brain at the point where it makes an impact on a stationary object. When the head hits a stationary object, the brain is then injured directly below the point of trauma. For example, if you were in a car accident and hit your head on the steering wheel, this would likely cause a coup brain injury.
If you have been told you have a coup-contrecoup injury caused by an accident, you may be entitled to recover damages for your injuries, medical bills, and pain and suffering. Contact Khan Injury Law and ask to schedule a free initial consultation by calling 206-900-9900.
What is a Countrecoup Brain Injury?
The second part of the injury (contrecoup) occurs on the opposite side of the brain from where the initial impact took place. This injury also typically occurs when the head hits a stationary object. For instance, if you were rear-ended, your head may be forced backward into the headrest. Since the brain moves slower than the rest of the body, your brain may hit the inside of your skull at the front of your head, leaving an injury on the opposite side of the actual impact.
A coup-contrecoup injury is when the brain is injured both at the point of impact and opposite from the point of impact. These injuries can be more complex than coup or contrecoup injuries on their own because the brain has to heal in two separate places. Often, coup-contrecoup injuries cause more severe long-term symptoms because multiple locations in the brain are damaged.
What Can Cause Coup-Contrecoup Injuries?
Motor vehicle accidents are one of the leading causes of coup-contrecoup injuries. In addition, any type of severe blunt force trauma can also potentially cause an injury.
Often in motor vehicle accidents, an individual’s head comes into contact with the dashboard or steering wheel. This can easily cause the brain to receive damage on one side that resonates with the other.
Some other causes of coup-contrecoup injuries include:
- Sports activities. Physical activities like skateboarding or football can cause head injuries, especially if you slip and fall. Even though wearing a helmet is a good idea for protection, a helmet can actually force your brain against the skull during an impact.
- Slip and fall accidents. Slippery conditions, like wet leaves or snow, can cause sidewalks and stairways to become dangerous. Slipping and falling can lead to a head injury, causing the brain to hit the inside of the skull.
- Domestic violence. Unfortunately, impacts from domestic violence can lead to head injuries, causing the brain to make contact with the skull.
What Are the Warning Signs of a Coup-Contrecoup Injury?
Coup-contrecoup injuries can take days or weeks to manifest themselves fully. You should seek medical attention immediately if you have experienced a severe head injury. Failing to do so can result in you suffering permanent brain damage.
Some common warning signs of a coup-contrecoup injury include:
- Intense or persistent headaches
- Lack of ability to concentrate
- Vision problems
- Memory loss
- Loss of consciousness
- Dizziness
- Muscle weakness
And more. Even if you do not have any immediate symptoms after a head injury, seek medical attention to get checked out. It’s possible that your brain is injured and you do not have symptoms, in which case it is essential to be treated by a medical professional.
How Are Coup-Contrecoup Injuries Treated?
If you have sustained a severe blow to the head, time is of the essence. You must seek medical attention immediately, as healthcare professionals only have a small window of time to treat your injuries. Failure to obtain help for your injuries could result in permanent and irreversible brain damage.
In most cases, a CT scan is utilized to determine the extent of the injury and how it should be best treated. Medical professionals may treat the injury with rest, prescribed medications, or even surgery, depending on the severity of the injuries. In many cases, treatment of the injury depends on where the brain was impacted. You could have injured your frontal lobe, temporal lobe, occipital lobe, parietal lobe, or some combination of these lobes. Your doctor will assess your injuries and give you the proper medical treatment to recover quickly.
What Damages Can I Claim After a Coup-Contrecoup Injury?
Coup-contrecoup injuries can cause many issues, both physical and mental. Victims may experience headaches, dizziness, sensory loss, loss of motor function, or memory loss. In severe cases, victims may become paralyzed or even comatose. In a personal injury claim, you can recoup any medical expenses or bills related to recovery that you were forced to pay out of pocket due to your injuries.
Along with physical injuries, emotional damages can also be recovered. Mood swings, pain and suffering, and mental anguish are all possibilities after a coup-contrecoup injury. If you file a personal injury claim, you can request damages for the emotional suffering you have endured due to your injury.
Can Your Law Firm Help Me File a Coup-Contrecoup Personal Injury Claim?
If you have suffered a coup-contrecoup injury due to another person’s negligence, you may be entitled to file a personal injury claim to recover damages. Our attorneys have extensive knowledge regarding coup-contrecoup injuries and will use their experience to recover maximum compensation for your injuries. Depending on the nature of your case, you may be able to file a claim for medical bills, pain and suffering, property damage, emotional anguish, and more.
Contact Khan Injury Law today by calling 206-900-9900 and asking to schedule a free initial consultation to discuss your case.
