Philadelphia Hypoxic and Anoxic Brain Injury Attorneys

hypoxic and anoxic brain injury

Did you or someone close to you sustain a hypoxic or anoxic brain injury in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania? Brain injuries can have life-altering consequences, frequently leaving victims with debilitating pain, diminished quality of life, and an inability to earn a living or care for themselves.

If another party’s negligence contributed to the brain injury, you could be entitled to compensation for these and other losses. The attorneys of Eisenberg, Rothweiler, Winkler, Eisenberg & Jeck, P.C. can help. We have achieved millions of dollars in compensation on behalf of people in similar positions and are eager to do the same for you. Contact us today for a consultation with a Philadelphia brain injury lawyer with our firm.

What Are Hypoxic and Anoxic Brain Injuries?

Many brain injuries are the result of physical trauma to the head or body. Hypoxic and anoxic brain injuries occur due to a lack of oxygen to the brain.

A hypoxic brain injury is caused by the brain not having enough oxygen. When oxygen flow to the brain is restricted, brain cells gradually die off, sometimes resulting in permanent damage to the brain.

An anoxic brain injury, on the other hand, occurs when there is no oxygen getting to the brain at all. When brain cells receive absolutely no oxygen, they can begin to die off within approximately four minutes.

What Causes These Types of Brain Injuries?

Four key types of injuries can result in hypoxia and anoxia, including:

  • Hypoxic-ischemic injuries – A hypoxic-ischemic brain injury occurs when oxygen-rich blood is unable to reach the brain. Many hypoxic-ischemic injuries are the result of strokes, lung or heart conditions, and birth complications.
  • Anemic anoxia – An anemic anoxic brain injury occurs when there is not enough blood in the body to supply the brain with oxygen or when the blood itself is unable to carry oxygen to the brain.
  • Toxic anoxia – A toxic anoxic brain injury occurs when the presence of poisons or toxic chemicals in the blood prevents the brain from receiving enough oxygen.
  • Anoxic anoxia – Anoxic anoxia occurs when there is not enough oxygen in the air, which results in suffocation and eventual brain death.

What Symptoms Do Hypoxic and Anoxic Brain Injuries Exhibit?

Initial signs of a hypoxic or anoxic brain injury often include short-term or long-term loss of consciousness, which may lead to a comatose state. Other common early symptoms include slurred speech, facial drooping, confusion, and disorientation.

When hypoxic and anoxic brain injury victims regain consciousness, they tend to display symptoms similar to those of a traumatic brain injury, such as:

  • Persistent headaches
  • Trouble with visual perception
  • Difficulty with balance
  • Convulsions or seizures
  • Changes in sensory perception
  • Difficulty speaking or swallowing
  • Changes in sleep habits
  • Difficulty with bladder and bowel control
  • Changes in sexual function
  • Impaired motor functions
  • Changes in personality
  • Trouble forming sentences
  • Confusion and disorientation
  • Difficulty communicating
  • Trouble with focus, reason, and logic
  • Trouble with memory and concentration
  • Unusual depression or anxiety
  • Limited concentration or attention span
  • Unusual, inappropriate behavior
  • Vegetative states, in severe cases

Treatment for Hypoxic and Anoxic Brain Injuries

The treatment and prognosis for hypoxic and anoxic brain injury victims can vary considerably depending on the duration of the oxygen deprivation and the extent of any damage to the brain. Immediate care is focused on re-introducing adequate oxygen to the brain, either by reopening airways, re-saturating the blood with oxygen, or supporting the pulmonary and cardiovascular systems as needed.

The sooner a hypoxic or anoxic injury victim receives treatment to get their oxygen levels back to normal, the better their chances of recovering. Physicians commonly recommend the following types of treatment for complications associated with hypoxia and anoxia:

  • Physical therapy to improve the patient’s strength and control over their motor functions
  • Speech therapy to help the patient relearn how to speak naturally and swallow normally
  • Counseling or cognitive therapy to help the patient adjust to psychological, emotional, and social difficulties
  • Occupational therapy to help the patient learn new skills or adapt to new roles
  • Recreational therapy to give the patient opportunities to learn new activities and get involved with their community

Compensation for Hypoxic and Anoxic Brain Injury Claims

If someone else was at fault for your hypoxic or anoxic brain injury, you might have grounds to seek compensation from them through a personal injury lawsuit. Depending on the circumstances, you could recover money for the following types of injury-related losses:

  • Hospital bills and other medical expenses from the treatment of the hypoxic or anoxic brain injury
  • The value of any reduction in your wages, income, or benefits due to missed time at work during your recovery
  • The losses in your future earning capacity, if the hypoxia or anoxic brain injury leaves you with a permanent impairment
  • Subjective losses, such as the pain, suffering, and reduced quality of life you experience due to the injury

How Can a Brain Injury Lawyer Help Me?

The Philadelphia brain injury lawyers at Eisenberg, Rothweiler, Winkler, Eisenberg & Jeck, P.C. can help you with all aspects of your personal injury case by:

  • Reviewing your situation for free and explaining your options in a free initial case evaluation
  • Conducting an independent investigation into the causes of the brain injury
  • Identifying liable parties and all possible sources of compensation for your claim
  • Gathering and preserving valuable evidence to support your claim
  • Working with reliable experts to obtain useful testimony about your injuries
  • Interviewing eyewitnesses who saw the hypoxic or anoxic brain injury occur
  • Communicating with physicians, insurers, and other parties on your behalf
  • Handling important case documents, details, and deadlines
  • Filing case paperwork and negotiating aggressively to maximize your case value
  • Preparing your case for trial

For All Brain Injury Cases, Call ER Legal Today

Do not hesitate to contact the Philadelphia injury lawyers at Eisenberg, Rothweiler, Winkler, Eisenberg & Jeck, P.C. for help with your hypoxic or anoxic brain injury case. We are prepared to answer your questions and review your case for free in an initial consultation session.

BUSINESS INFORMATION
Eisenberg, Rothweiler, Winkler, Eisenberg, & Jeck, P.C.
1634 Spruce St, Philadelphia, PA, 19103
Phone: (215) 585-2814
Email: info@erlegal.com