What Are Coup and Contrecoup Brain Injuries?
Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are life-threatening and can result in life-long brain damage. In certain accidents, there are two types of TBIs that can occur: coup and contrecoup brain injuries. In this blog, the brain injury attorneys at Patterson Legal Group explain these types of brain injuries and how we can help if you or a loved one have experienced a brain injury due to an accident.
Defining Coup and Contrecoup Brain Injuries
The terms coup and contrecoup are French words that mean “blow” and “counterblow.” In the context of brain injuries, these terms refer to injuries caused by an impact to the skull. Both coup and contrecoup brain injuries are closed brain injuries. This means that the skull is not fractured, broken, or punctured.
A coup injury occurs at the point of impact with an object. The force of the impact causes the brain to move within the skull and collide with the inside of the skull, bruising the brain tissue at that site. A contrecoup injury occurs on the opposite side of the brain from the point of impact. This happens because the force of the initial impact causes the brain to move within the skull, hitting the opposite side of the skull and causing injury to the brain tissue at that site.
Symptoms and Treatment Options for Brain Injuries
Symptoms of both coup and contrecoup brain injuries are similar and can vary depending on the severity. Common symptoms include:
- Headaches: headaches from coup and contrecoup brain injuries are often intense and persistent.
- Confusion: after one of these head injuries, people might feel disoriented, confused, and have trouble concentrating.
- Loss of consciousness: a blow to the head can often cause victims to lose consciousness.
- Dizziness and trouble with balance: the inner ear can be affected by these injuries and impact the part of the brain that controls balance.
- Nausea and vomiting: feeling nauseous and vomiting can be common after both coup and contrecoup injuries.
- Vision problems: blurred vision and sensitivity to light can occur.
- Changes in behavior and mood: irritability, mood swings, and altered behavior are possible.
- Difficulties with speech: slurred speech or difficulty forming words might occur.
- Memory problems: victims often have difficulty remembering events before or after the injury may be experienced.
- Motor skill impairments: weakness, numbness, or paralysis on one side of the body may be present.
- Possible coma: in more severe cases, a coma is possible.
Every injury has a unique prognosis and treatment method. Some might heal completely from either type, while others suffer from long-life impairment that requires long-term care. In extreme cases, death is even possible.Physical and/or mental rehabilitation, certain medications, surgery, or a medically induced coma are all potential treatments. For a proper diagnosis of a coup or contrecoup brain injury, it is important to seek medical attention if you think you might be suffering from either type of brain injury.
Causes of Coup and Contrecoup Brain Injuries
Both coup and contrecoup injuries often occur in situations where the head experiences rapid deceleration or acceleration and a blow to the head. Causes of both include:
- Car wrecks
- Motorcycle accidents
- Unsafe products
- Unsafe property
- Slip and fall accidents
- Workplace accidents
- Truck accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Rollover accidents
While accidents are the most common causes of coup and contrecoup brain injuries, other causes of brain injuries also include military combat, industrial accidents, and other situations involving explosions. Additionally, sharp objects penetrating the skull can also lead to these injuries.
Call Patterson Legal Group
If you or a loved one have suffered from a traumatic brain injury, your life and your family’s will be permanently altered. If your brain injury was caused by the negligent or reckless actions of another person or party, you may be entitled to financial compensation. Depending on the circumstances of your case, you may be eligible for compensation medical bills, lost wages, continued care, pain and suffering, diminished earning capacity, and other expenses.
Patterson Legal Group has more than 75 years of combined experience successfully representing injury victims in Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma. We have a track record of winning superior settlements for our clients. Our firm offers free consultations and works on a “no win, no fee” basis, which means that you do not pay a dime unless money has been recovered on your behalf.
To get started on your free consultation, call us 24/7 at (888) 687-2400. You can also fill out this contact form or reach out via LiveChat.
