An anoxic brain injury is a type of brain injury that occurs when the brain is completely cut off from its oxygen supply, causing brain cells to die within minutes.
If your family is dealing with the aftermath of this kind of injury right now, I want you to know that you don’t have to figure this out alone.
Our experienced Texas brain injury lawyers are available 24/7 to offer legal support after a brain injury, and we are ready to help you understand your rights and your options. Call us today if you or a loved one has been injured, then keep reading to find out the answer to, “What is an anoxic brain injury?”
What Is Anoxic Brain Injury and How Does It Happen?
The brain is remarkably dependent on oxygen. In fact, it consumes roughly 20% of the body’s entire oxygen supply, even though it makes up only about 2% of your body weight.
When that oxygen supply is completely cut off, brain damage can begin within minutes. The longer the deprivation lasts, the more severe and widespread the damage becomes.
These brain injuries happen without warning, and in many situations, they are caused by someone else‘s negligence.
We’ve seen families blindsided by these injuries with no idea that they may have a legal right to hold someone accountable. In situations like these, legal guidance may help families understand whether they have grounds to pursue compensation.
Anoxic Brain Injury vs. Hypoxic Brain Injury
The difference comes down to degree. An anoxic brain injury means the brain received absolutely no oxygen, while a hypoxic brain injury means the brain received some oxygen but not enough.
Both types of brain injuries are serious, both can cause permanent neurological damage, and both can form the basis of a valid legal claim if someone else’s negligence was involved.
Whether your loved one suffered a complete or partial oxygen deprivation, the impact on your family can be equally devastating, and your right to pursue justice deserves to be taken seriously.
What Are the Symptoms of an Anoxic Brain Injury?
The symptoms a person experiences after an anoxic brain injury depend heavily on how long the brain went without oxygen and which areas of the brain were most affected.
Some survivors make meaningful recoveries with intensive rehabilitation, while others face permanent and profound disabilities. Here is what families often see in both the short and long term.
Short-Term Symptoms
In the immediate hours and days following the injury, you may notice:
- Confusion, disorientation, or an inability to recognize familiar people
- Loss of consciousness or a coma
- Seizures
- Difficulty speaking, forming words, or understanding language
- Muscle weakness or sudden loss of coordination
- Vision problems or sensitivity to light
Long-Term Symptoms
For many victims, the effects of an anoxic brain injury don’t fade over time. Families often find themselves navigating a very different life than the one they had before, including:
- Significant memory loss and difficulty with basic cognitive tasks
- Dramatic changes in personality, mood, or behavior
- Ongoing problems with movement, balance, and motor skills
- Chronic fatigue and persistent headaches
- Depression, anxiety, and emotional dysregulation
- In the most severe cases, a permanent vegetative or minimally conscious state
How Is an Anoxic Brain Injury Diagnosed?
Doctors typically diagnose anoxic brain injuries through a combination of neurological evaluations, MRI or CT imaging, and EEG testing to measure brain activity. Blood oxygen levels and other vital indicators are closely monitored as well.
Early and accurate diagnosis matters enormously, both for medical treatment and for building a strong legal case. Medical records from the moment of the injury forward can be critical evidence, which is one reason I always encourage families to reach out to an attorney as early as possible.
What Compensation May Be Available?
Families dealing with an anoxic brain injury are often facing enormous financial pressure on top of unimaginable emotional stress.
“Depending on the circumstances, compensation may include medical expenses, long-term care and rehabilitation, lost income and future earning capacity, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.
In cases where a loved one did not survive, wrongful death damages may also be available. Reach out to a Texas wrongful death lawyer from our firm.
Talk to a Brain Injury Lawyer in Texas for Free Today
Now you know the answer to, “What is an anoxic brain injury?” If your family is dealing with an anoxic brain injury caused by someone else’s negligence, please don’t wait to get legal advice. Reach out to The Texas Law Dog today for a completely free case review.
We’ll sit down with you, listen to what happened, and give you an honest assessment of your options with no pressure and no obligation.
We are here for you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, because we know that when something this serious happens, you need answers right away. And remember, when it comes to fighting for our clients, we don‘t just bark, we bite. Learn more at our FAQ page.
