Every year, an estimated 2.9 million people visit the emergency room in the U.S. with a traumatic brain injury—many of them unaware just how serious or lasting the damage can be. Among the most dangerous and frequently overlooked types is the contrecoup injury, which occurs when the brain bruises on the side opposite the initial impact—often after a catastrophic truck crash, explosion, or fall.
At Zehl & Associates, we’ve recovered the largest traumatic brain injury verdicts and settlements in Texas and across the country, including for clients with contrecoup, coup, and coup-contrecoup injuries. We understand the devastating consequences of these “invisible injuries,” especially when they go undiagnosed. More importantly, we know exactly what it takes to prove these complex cases and secure the medical care and financial compensation you deserve—with the record-setting results to back it up.
If you or a loved one suffered a brain injury in a serious accident, here’s what you need to know about contrecoup trauma, and how our undefeated traumatic brain injury lawyers can stand up, fight, and win for you.
What Is a Contrecoup Injury?
A contrecoup injury is a cerebral contusion, one of the most severe forms of traumatic brain injuries. Contusions of the brain can cause bruising and inflammation.
Cerebral contusions are categorized as either “coup,” “contrecoup,” or “coup-countrecoup.” These are French words meaning “blow,” “counterblow,” and “blow-counterblow.” All three types can cause severe cognitive problems, but a contrecoup injury offers unique challenges. A contrecoup brain injury occurs when trauma to the head causes the brain to strike the inside of the skull on the opposite side of the initial impact. This results in brain damage that is not located where the head was struck, but rather on the side opposite the blow.
For example, if you were hit on the front of the head during a fall or collision, but the damage appears in the back of the brain, that would be a contrecoup injury. These injuries often happen when the brain moves forcefully within the skull due to sudden acceleration or deceleration, such as during a car crash, a violent assault, or a workplace accident.
Symptoms of a Contrecoup Injury
Common symptoms of a contrecoup brain injury may include:
- Sensitivity to light or noise
- Difficulty concentrating
- Memory problems
- Mood swings or personality changes
- Cognitive difficulties
- Depression or anxiety
In more severe cases, contrecoup injuries can lead to long-term impairments, coma, or even a persistent vegetative state.
Should You Seek Emergency Medical Care for a Head Injury?
Any type of head injury could cause brain damage. However, most head injuries are mild. It can be difficult to know when to visit a doctor. In general, you should seek emergency care if you lose consciousness after a workplace injury or other type of blow to the head. Other signs that emergency care is needed include:
- Stiff neck
- Weakness on one side of the body
- Doublevision
- Facial palsy
- Inability to comprehend language
- Difficulty breathing
- Abnormal heartbeat
- Seizure
Some mild symptoms, like a headache or nausea, are common after a head injury. If symptoms continue for more than 48 hours or if you develop new symptoms after that time, seek medical care immediately.
Countrecoup Injury Treatment
Treatments for coup and countrecoup injuries vary according to the severity of the injury and the individual’s needs. Mild cases can be treated with rest and over-the-counter medications.
Your doctor may recommend overnight monitoring in the hospital and multiple CT scans. Surgical decompression may be needed to reduce swelling in the brain and prevent permanent brain damage. Anticonvulsive medications may be prescribed if the person is experiencing seizures because of their contrecoup injury.
If a person develops depression or other mental health concerns related to their head injury, treatments for those related conditions will also be recommended.
Are You Recovering From a Contrecoup Injury?
All TBIs create a risk of severe or permanent brain damage. However, many people with head injuries enjoy a full recovery. It may take time, rest, hospitalization, and even surgery to restore your health after a contrecoup injury. Lost wages and medical costs, including long-term restorative therapies, are expensive.
If injuries were caused by someone else, you may have the legal right to file a lawsuit and collect damages. It may be a good idea to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney to learn more about your right to financial compensation.
To learn more, call Zehl & Associates to schedule a free consultation with an experienced brain injury lawyer.
Contact the Undefeated Houston Personal Injury Lawyers from Zehl & Associates Injury & Accident Lawyers for Help Today, Call 1-888-603-3636
For more information, please contact our Undefeated personal injury attorneys in Houston, Texas at Zehl & Associates Injury & Accident Lawyers to schedule a free consultation today.
We proudly serve Harris County, Midland County, and throughout the state of Texas. We are located in Houston and Midland and throughout the state of Texas:
Zehl & Associates Injury & Accident Lawyers – Houston
2700 Post Oak Blvd #1000, Houston, TX 77056
(888) 603-3636
Open 24 hours
Zehl & Associates Injury & Accident Lawyers – Midland
306 W Wall St Suite 701, Midland, TX 79701
(432) 220-0000
Open 24 hours