The Mechanics of TBI: Understand the impact of diminished brain functioning

Our brains contains approximately 100 billion brain cells, called neurons, which connect to each other through mechanical and chemical pathways, called synapses.

There may be as many as a quadrillion (1,000 trillion) synapses, passing vital information between the neurons of the human brain. Any disruption to these delicate pathways degrades the brain’s ability to process information. This degradation of brain functioning is the hallmark of TBI.

Anatomically, the brain rests within a body of cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) and is protected by a bony skull and dura, a tough fibrous tissue. This structure provides good protection against everyday impacts. However, our anatomy is not designed to protect against the forces generated by high-velocity impacts seen in motor vehicle collisions (MVC), high-speed sports, gunshot wounds, or bomb blasts.

Erin Bigler, a Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience uses this analogy: Imagine that you are traveling on a highway to work, school, or home, and the road is suddenly blocked. You can reroute to different roads, but your new route is likely to be slower and your trip will take longer. The neurons and synapses in your brain work in the same way. Your brain can reroute information following the destruction of normal brain pathways, but the rerouting will cause your brain to slow down and your brain functioning to be degraded.

Understanding how diminished brain functioning has impacted a client, and communicating that loss to a jury, is the main role of a brain injury lawyer.

The information contained in this website is not legal advice. Information contained in this website is provided by The Zukerberg Law Center, PLLC for informational purposes only. Receipt of this information, or contact via this web site, does not create an attorney-client relationship between any sender or recipient and the Zukerberg Law Center, PLLC.

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