The human brain can suffer many complex types of injuries in serious accidents. When the head and skull suffer an impact, the brain can be injured on both sides: one from the initial impact and the other from the rebound of the brain inside the skull. This is known as a coup and contrecoup brain injury. It is a closed head injury that can have significant symptoms and effects.
Coup vs. Contrecoup Brain Injuries: What’s the Difference?
A coup brain injury describes damage to the brain’s tissues that occurs when the head first strikes an object or surface. Upon this initial impact, the force of the blow can cause the brain to bounce around within the skull and collide with the inner wall, potentially damaging the brain tissue in the location where the point of impact occurred.
A contrecoup brain injury is the opposite of a coup injury. It is a traumatic brain injury mirrored on the other side of the brain compared to a coup injury. A contrecoup injury occurs when the force of the original impact is so great that it causes the brain to bounce off the inside of the skull wall hard enough to rebound and collide with the opposite side. This can cause damage to both sides of the brain tissue.
Common Causes of Coup-Contrecoup Brain Injuries in Nevada
Traumatic brain injuries such as coup and contrecoup injuries can arise in many different accidents involving a bump or a blow to the head and skull. Brain damage in a coup-contrecoup or two-part pattern is more common in accidents involving a severe or high-velocity impact, as the victim can suffer a blow to the head with enough force to send the brain ricocheting back to the other side.
Examples include:
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Serious falls
- Struck-by objects or equipment
- Construction and workplace accidents
- Contact sports
- Recreational activities
- Swimming pool accidents
- Acts of violence
- Explosive blasts
- Physical abuse
A coup-contrecoup brain injury is known as a closed head injury, as it does not involve a penetrating injury or puncture wound that breaks the skull. Instead, the brain moves around within the skull and sustains an injury with no visible external wound to the head.
Seeking Damages for Coup and Contrecoup Brain Injuries
Coup and contrecoup brain injuries can cause a wide variety of serious symptoms. Depending on the severity of the brain trauma, a victim may experience mobility challenges, cognitive difficulties and emotional changes. These effects may last weeks, months or even years.
In Nevada, if one person’s negligence or failure to use proper care causes another person’s coup-contrecoup traumatic brain injury, the negligent party can be held liable or financially responsible. This means the person at fault for causing the brain injury can be made to pay for the victim’s related losses.
If you are diagnosed with a coup and contrecoup brain injury after an accident that reasonably should have been prevented, you may be entitled to financial compensation from the at-fault party. This could be a motor vehicle driver, a property owner, an employer, a product manufacturer or another party.
Discuss your brain injury case with a knowledgeable local attorney today to learn more about coup-contrecoup brain injuries and your rights. Contact Koch & Brim, LLP for a free consultation in Nevada.