Everything from a car accident to a sports-related collision can cause a brain injury. In general, these injuries are classified as either traumatic or acquired for West Virginia patients. Acquired brain injuries can be the result of tumors, strokes, electric shocks or a lack of oxygen to the brain. On the other hand, traumatic brain injury refers to those injuries caused by an external force or impact.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, 40.5 percent of traumatic brain injuries are caused by falls. Another 14.3 percent of these injuries are caused by motor vehicle accidents while 10 percent are caused by assaults. For around 19 percent of cases, the ultimate cause is unknown. Each year, there are around 2,685 people who die and 37,000 people who are hospitalized due to traumatic brain injury.

Correct diagnosis of a brain injury is particularly critical in providing swift and correct treatment. In many cases, a CT or MRI scan is necessary for a doctor to make a final diagnosis of brain injury. However, these scans can be costly, and it may not always be clear who is most in need of a scan. One technology that is helping to enhance the diagnosis process is a portable scanner. This scanner can be used by emergency rooms, field hospitals, ambulance services and other urgent treatment environments to identify the people who are at the highest risk of brain injury. These patients will then be prioritized for CT scans and subsequent treatments.

People who have suffered a traumatic brain injury due to another person’s negligence may experience lifelong consequences and high medical bills as a result. A personal injury lawyer can work with such victims to pursue compensation for damages.