St. Louis Dog Bite Attorneys
Cerebral Hemorrhage and Hematomas Secondary To Dog Attacks
Cerebral hemorrhage and hematomas are potential and serious consequences of a brain injury. Often caused by the head being struck against a hard object or the ground, a cerebral hemorrhage takes place inside of the brain tissue and a hematoma results from a centralized collection of blood outside of blood vessels, typically in liquid form inside of tissue. During a dog attack, this can occur if a large breed dog knocks an individual over – during which their head may strike a hard object, wall, or the hard ground leading to a cerebral hemorrhage or hematoma.
Common Mechanism of Injury
Hemorrhage and hematomas of the brain usually occur when the head strikes a hard object in one, or a combination, of the following three ways:
- The skull can fracture causing a tear in an underlying artery;
- The skull does not fracture and the force of the hit is transmitted to the brain causing multiple small connecting veins to tear; or
- The sudden movements of the head cause the brain to rub across the rough surface of the skull base – each of which result in the sudden onset of bleeding within the skull cavity, between the brain and skull or inside the brain tissue itself.
Hemorrhage and Hematomas Symptoms
Depending on the severity of injury, symptoms of hemorrhage and hematomas will vary. However, the most common symptoms include the following:
- Rapid loss of consciousness is followed by a period of regained consciousness and normal function; this is commonly subsequently followed by a decline in alertness, mental function, and ability to care for oneself.
- In some cases of venous injury, the bleeding is slower and there is a slower onset of confusion and memory impairment.
- With large hemorrhages and hematomas, breathing difficulties, slowing of the heart, left- or right-sided paralysis, coma, or death can occur.
- Depending on the location of the bleeding and the amount of brain tissue swelling, specific deficits may be noticed such as left- or right-sided weakness, difficulty speaking, or behavioral changes (such as aggressiveness, loss of inhibition, and acting out).
Treatment and Prognosis
Hemorrhages and hematomas located between the brain and skull that are large enough to cause symptoms are usually drained surgically. If a person is having difficulty breathing or their brain is not receiving enough oxygen, they may need to be placed on a ventilator and have a tube placed down their throat into their lungs to help with breathing and to increase the amount of oxygen reaching the brain. Medications commonly used during this procedure are morphine or Duragesic (Fentanyl) for pain and Diprivan (Propofol) to put a patient to sleep while they are on the ventilator.
To help prevent seizures from cerebral hemorrhages and hematomas, Dilantin (Phenytoin) is commonly given. To help prevent blood clots, sequential compression devices that squeeze a patient's calves intermittently to help keep blood moving are used.
Rehabilitation, both in the hospital and after discharge from the hospital, is usually needed for any persistent functional impairment caused by a brain injury that results in hemorrhages and hematomas. In terms of prognosis, many people with small to moderate bleeds recover. Those with severe bleeds that have substantial functional deficits sometimes initially recover with residual impairment after many months of rehabilitation.
Potential problems noticed in everyday life include headaches and residual deficits such as a speech impediment, mild muscle weakness, subtle personality or behavioral changes. With severe hemorrhages and substantial deficits noted immediately after a dog attack injury, victims may have intellectual and/or physical deficits that do not resolve and require further medical attention. Examples include a seizure disorder or gait impairment requiring a cane or walker.
Providing Dependable Legal Representation
A St. Louis dog attack attorney at Page Law is ready to guide you through the legal process. Legal matters related to dog bite injures can be extremely stressful and complex, but you don't have to face it alone. To learn more about how we can assist with your dog bite case, call (314) 322-8515 for a free consultation.
