Coup and contrecoup brain injuries are types of traumatic brain injuries (TBI). These can happen as a result of car crashes, motorcycle accidents, and other destructive types of accidents. These injuries are often catastrophic and can lead to changes that can impact the rest of your life. In this blog, the Las Vegas brain injury lawyers at ER Injury Attorneys explain types of coup brain injuries, what causes them, and how we can help if you or a loved one have suffered such an injury.
Types of Coup Brain Injuries
A coup injury refers to a form of head trauma leading to a brain bruise. There exist three distinct categories of coup injuries: coup, contrecoup, and coup-contrecoup. All these variants are closed brain injuries, meaning the skull remains intact without fractures, breaks, or punctures. The different types of coup injuries are often confused for one another, despite sharing different characteristics.
- Coup Brain Injuries occur when the brain is forcefully impacted by a blunt object. This can cause bruising, bleeding, and swelling in the area of the brain directly below the point of impact.
- Contrecoup Brain Injuries occur when the brain is shaken back and forth inside the skull after a blunt force impact. This can cause bruising and bleeding on the opposite side of the brain from the point of impact.
- Coup-contrecoup Brain Injuries are the most severe type of brain injury that can occur from a blow to the head. These are not as common as coup and contrecoup injuries. They cause damage to both sides of the brain, often on the side of impact and on the opposite side. Coup-contrecoup injuries are often misdiagnosed as the symptoms can be similar to other types of brain injuries. As a result, one side of the injury may be treated while the other side is left untreated. This can lead to permanent brain damage.here is no cure for coup-contrecoup injuries, but treatment can help to manage the symptoms and improve the chances of recovery.
Causes of Coup and Contrecoup Brain Injuries
Coup and contrecoup injuries that can occur when the head experiences a sudden and violent movement. In addition to the previously mentioned causes, other accident types related to coup and contrecoup injuries include:
- Car accidents
- Truck accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Slip and fall accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Rollover accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Rear-end collisions
And even though accidents are the most common cause of coup and contrecoup brain injuries, there are a few other events that can cause these life-altering injuries, such as:
- Military combat
- Industrial accidents
- Explosions
- Assaults
- Sharp objects penetrating the skull
Symptoms of Coup Brain Injuries
The symptoms of coup and contrecoup brain injuries are similar and can vary depending on the severity. Some common symptoms include:
- Headaches
- Confusion
- Difficulty with speech
- Loss of consciousness
- Dizziness
- Issues with balance and coordination
- Nausea and vomiting
- Vision problems, including blurred vision and loss of vision in one eye
- Sensitivity to light
- Mood and behavioral changes
- Difficulty processing verbal information
- Lightheadedness
- Memory problems
- Impaired motor skills
- Numbness and weakness
- Paralysis
Severe coup and contrecoup brain injuries can even result in death. It is important to seek medical attention immediately if you or someone you know has experienced a head injury.
Brain Injury Treatment Options
The prognosis and treatment for contrecoup brain injuries vary depending on the severity of the injury and the individual’s overall health. Some people recover entirely from contrecoup injuries, while others may have permanent disabilities and require costly long-term care. The recovery timeline for brain injuries is also unique to each individual. Some people may start to improve within days or weeks, while others may take months or even years to make significant progress.
Possible treatment options include:
- Physical and/or mental rehabilitation: this helps people regain lost skills and abilities. It can include exercises to improve mobility, speech, and cognitive function.
- Medication: certain medications can be used to treat pain, headaches, and other symptoms of a brain injury.
- Surgery: if the brain results in blood clots or pressure on the brain, surgery may be necessary.
- Medically induced coma: this is a rare treatment option that is used to give the brain time to heal.
What Do I Do After a Brain Injury?
Coup and contrecoup brain injuries can have a devastating impact on your life, even with treatment. If someone else’s negligence or recklessness caused your injury, you may be entitled to financial compensation for medical bills, lost wages, ongoing treatment, pain and suffering, diminished earning capacity, and more.
The team of Las Vegas personal injury lawyers at ER Injury Attorneys understands the physical, emotional, and financial toll brain injuries can take on you and your family. We will review the evidence of your case and help you select the best legal options. We will also work to make sure you have the resources you need to recover and rebuild your life.
We’ve helped brain injury victims in Las Vegas, Henderson, Summerlin, Boulder City, and Pahrump. Contact us 24/7 by calling 702-878-7878, via LiveChat, or by filling out our contact form for your free case consultation.