Coup Contrecoup Injury

Coup-Contrecoup Injury Lawyer

Coup-contrecoup is a type of injury to the brain that is always very serious. These injuries are permanent, and the effects often haunt accident victims for the rest of their lives. This injury is not only painful but also very expensive to treat, as lifelong treatments are often required.

When someone else was at fault for the accident that caused the coup-contrecoup injury, accident victims can file a claim to recover compensation for their losses. Before filing a claim, accident victims should speak to a knowledgeable Illinois coup-contrecoup injury lawyer who has experience handling these types of complex cases.

Contact Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard, P.C., today to schedule a free consultation on your case. Our brain injury lawyers can answer all your questions and explain your legal rights to compensation.

What Is a Coup-Contrecoup Injury?

Coup and contrecoup (pronounced coo and contra coo, respectively) injuries are specific types of head injuries. The name given to the injury refers to the area of the head that sustained the impact. As such, a person can sustain a coup, contrecoup, or coup-contrecoup injury.

A coup injury refers to an injury that occurred directly at the location of the impact. These injuries are often easier to identify because there are cuts and bruises around the site of the injury.

A contrecoup injury occurs on the opposite side of the brain from where the impact was initially felt. These are often misdiagnosed because the area of the brain affected does not show any signs of injury. These injuries are most likely to occur in auto accidents and motorcycle crashes.

A coup-contrecoup injury is one that affects both sides of the brain. These injuries are also often misdiagnosed, which can result in one side of the brain being treated while the other side is not.

Coup-contrecoup injuries, regardless of the type or what area of the brain they affect, are traumatic brain injuries, and some of the worst a person could sustain. They typically result in bruising of the brain, and even the slightest bruising of this vital organ should be taken very seriously.

Damages Caused by Coup and Contrecoup Injury

When a person sustains a coup-contrecoup injury, the accident victim may suffer permanent brain damage. These injuries impact every area of an accident victim’s life. Typically, victims are unable to return to work, they have many additional expenses they can no longer pay, and their personal relationships may suffer.

To recover for these losses, accident victims can file a claim against the party responsible for their injury. They can demand compensation for:

These are just a few of the damages accident victims can pursue as part of a personal injury claim. Contact us today, and one of our attorneys can perform a detailed evaluation of your claim and discuss your options.

Symptoms of Coup-Contrecoup Brain Injuries

The symptoms of a coup or contrecoup injury will vary depending on the area of the brain that was impacted. It will also depend on the severity of the injury. An extremely sharp blow to the head, for example, may have worse symptoms than a minor blow to the head. Some of the most common symptoms associated with this injury include:

  • Loss of consciousness, for any length of time
  • Coma
  • Disorientation or confusion
  • Headaches
  • Seizures
  • Lightheadedness or dizziness
  • Lack of balance and coordination
  • Extreme fatigue
  • Nausea, with or without vomiting
  • Memory issues
  • Behavioral changes such as sudden depression, agitation, or anxiety
  • Blurry vision
  • Tinnitus, or ringing in the ears
  • Sensitivity to light and noise
  • Slurred speech

Due to the fact that coup and contrecoup injuries have symptoms that mimic the symptoms of a concussion, these injuries are often misdiagnosed. If left untreated, these injuries are likely to become far worse.

Treatment for Coup-Contrecoup Injuries

Coup-contrecoup injuries are typically permanent, meaning the patient will never fully recover from them. This is because once brain cells have become damaged or destroyed, there is no way to repair them, and they generally do not regenerate. As such, treatment is mainly focused on preventing the injury from becoming any worse.

Rehabilitative therapy is often recommended to help reduce the effects of brain damage. Even when serious damage has been sustained, this therapy can sometimes help patients regain motion in certain areas of their body. Medication is also likely to be prescribed, which will not only help manage the patient’s pain but also address certain injuries, such as swelling in the brain.

In the most serious cases, surgery is required. This can also help treat swelling in the brain, and it can relieve internal pressure, which can be catastrophic for the brain.

In many cases, accident victims suffer permanent physical or mental disabilities and require lifelong rehab, therapy, and assistance with daily tasks. The cost of providing this treatment is often monumental and typically places accident victims and their families under great financial hardship. When this is the case, those injured must speak to an Illinois personal injury attorney who can help them demand compensation for their injuries.

Contact Our Experienced Brain Injury Lawyers Now

If you or a loved one has suffered from a coup-contrecoup injury, you need to speak with a Chicago personal injury attorney as soon as possible. These cases don’t only involve an intricate knowledge of the law, but also an in-depth knowledge of brain injuries and their long-term effects. At Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard, P.C., we have the knowledge and experience to successfully pursue these cases and demand the fair amount of compensation our clients deserve.

If you’ve been hurt, we want to put that experience to work for you, too. Contact us now to schedule your free consultation and learn more about how we can help with your case.