Hypoxic and anoxic brain injuries occur when the brain's oxygen supply is compromised. Hypoxia refers to partial oxygen deprivation, which can lead to permanent brain damage, while anoxia denotes a complete loss of oxygen supply, often resulting in severe and lasting brain damage.

Hypoxic Brain Injury: Partial Oxygen Deprivation

Hypoxic brain injury arises when the brain receives some oxygen, but not enough to maintain normal function. Common causes include interruptions in blood flow due to cardiac or respiratory arrest, strangulation, suffocation, choking, and severe asthma. Systemic health issues like severe anemia and hypotension can also lead to hypoxia. Other causes include traumatic vascular injuries, near-drowning, smoke inhalation, carbon monoxide poisoning, hemorrhagic and septic shock, drug overdoses, electric shock, and acute lung injury.

Symptoms range from mild to severe. Mild symptoms include lack of concentration, reduced attention, poor coordination, memory issues, slurred speech, difficulty moving, dizziness, and headaches. Severe symptoms can involve seizures, loss of consciousness, coma, hallucinations, and death.

Anoxic Brain Injury: Complete Oxygen Deprivation

Anoxic brain injury results from a total deprivation of oxygen. Causes are similar to those of hypoxia but lead to complete oxygen loss. These include stroke, cardiac arrest, low blood pressure, near-drowning, carbon monoxide poisoning, choking, and drug overdose.

Symptoms are similar to hypoxic injuries, ranging from mild to severe. Severe anoxic brain injury often leads to loss of consciousness and coma. Survivors may experience significant cognitive, physical, and emotional changes, such as memory loss, deficits in executive functioning and processing, balance and motor issues like ataxia, fatigue, weakness, and various behavioral and psychological changes.

Legal Assistance for Hypoxic or Anoxic Brain Injury Claims

Brain cells can begin to sustain injury within minutes of oxygen deprivation, necessitating prompt diagnosis and intervention by healthcare professionals. Failure to provide timely and appropriate treatment can result in life-altering consequences.

Boland Romaine Brain Injury Lawyers play a crucial role in investigating whether the medical care met accepted standards and, if not, pursuing claims on behalf of victims. Our Brain Injury Lawyers team has extensive experience advocating for individuals who have suffered from hypoxic and anoxic brain injuries due to negligence or medical malpractice. They work tirelessly to secure fair compensation for the challenges and damages caused by such injuries.