Mark Roman | December 13, 2017 | Brain Injuries

According to the Brain Injury Association of America, roughly 1.7 million people sustain a traumatic brain injury (TBI) each year. These injuries can manifest in hundreds of different ways and while some are easily diagnosed, others are harder to recognize; a coup-contrecoup brain injury falls under the latter.

What Is a Coup-Contrecoup Brain Injury?

When there is a direct blow to the head, the bruising of the brain and the damage to blood vessels and internal tissue is due to a mechanism called coup-contrecoup. A bruise associated to trauma at the site of impact is called a coup lesion. If the brain jolts backwards and hits the skull on the opposite side of the impact, the bruise is called a contrecoup lesion. These injuries can result in tearing of the internal lining and blood vessels, resulting in swelling of the brain and internal bleeding.

Coup-Contrecoup Brain Injury Symptoms

However, coup-contrecoup injuries are difficult to identify because they’re usually a secondary injury; usually the initial trauma is identified and treated instead. If you go home after being treated and cleared of permanent damage by a doctor, yet you experience these symptoms, you may have a coup-contrecoup brain injury:

  • Headache or pain at the point of impact or the opposite side of your head
  • Blurry vision, sensory deprivation, or dizziness
  • Drastic changes in sleep pattern
  • Mood or mental changes

If you feel disoriented or confused after being sent home from the hospital or doctor’s office, you should seek medical attention immediately. An injury to your head and brain has the potential to cause some serious damage. If you or a loved one has suffered a brain injury as a result of someone else’s negligence, you may have a valid TBI claim.

Contact the Clearwater Brain Injury Law Firm of Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers for Help Today

For more information, please contact the legal team of Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers for a free initial consultation with a brain injury lawyer in Clearwater. We have four convenient locations in Florida: Clearwater, New Port Richey, and Tampa.

We serve throughout Pinellas County, Hillsborough County, Pasco County, and its surrounding areas:

Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers – Clearwater Office
1811 N. Belcher Road, Suite I-1
Clearwater, FL 33765
(727) 787-2500

Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers – Congress Ave Office
2360 Congress Avenue
Clearwater, FL 33763
(727) 591-5610

Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers – Tampa Office
6601 Memorial Hwy Suite 202
Tampa, FL 33615
(813) 686-7588

Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers – New Port Richey Office
2515 Seven Springs Blvd.
New Port Richey, FL, 34655
(727) 815-8442