Brain injuries can be a severe problem for a number of reasons, the biggest of which is science is still not completely clear on how the brain works. For all points and purposes, the brain is the command center of the body, telling muscles when and how to move, organs how to function, allowing you to respond to outside stimuli, and so on. When people sustain a brain injury, however, doctors may not know how you will react to the damage. Some people are able to recover swiftly, while others are unable to recover from the damage entirely. This injury can prevent them from performing simple day-to-day activities, such as talking. One of the ways this brain damage can happen is through chemical exposure.
People can’t escape exposure to all kinds of dangerous chemical pollutants. They are everywhere, from in the food we eat to the air we breathe. Some people, however, are exposed to more on a daily basis because of their job or home environment. These chemicals can occur naturally or can be manufactured. The toxins can also be in the form of gases, metals, or chemical compounds. While these toxic chemicals may not be the leading cause of brain injury, they can be dangerous to a healthy brain.
Toxic exposure from some substances has been known to cause neurological damage with large doses in the short term or small doses in the long term. For example, children who are exposed to lead can develop neurological issues, including wrist and foot drop, stunted brain development, and diminished motor skills. Exposure to lead, either through unfiltered water or older houses with original lead paint, have often resulted in lower IQ or reduced potential for learning.
Mercury is another substance with a long history of disrupting the human brain. This chemical can be found in water, food, and other sources. It used to be found in dental fillings made in the twentieth century and was placed in thermometers. It affects the basal ganglia of the brain as well as the visual areas of the occipital lobe. Exposure to it results in short-term memory loss, motor slowing tremors, breathing problems, and other types of severe brain damage.
Another common cause of neurological damage in the United States is carbon monoxide (CO2) poisoning. In large doses, the compound can even be fatal. If people are exposed to too much of it and survive, they might suffer from weaker mental abilities and other neurological problems associated with lack of oxygen.
While some people are exposed to toxic chemicals through their own carelessness, other people are the victims of negligence. For example, in Flint, Michigan, anywhere from 6,000 to 12,000 children were exposed to high levels of lead in the water supply. Four lawsuits were filed against Governor Rick Snyder and thirteen other state officials who were in charge of the city when the water supply was switched to the Flint River source. According to the lawsuit, the officials acted recklessly and negligently in making the switch and not ensuring proper filtration of the water, leading to lead poisoning, autoimmune skin disorders, skin lesions, and “brain fog.”
Other people are exposed to dangerous chemicals through the negligence of a business owner who never spent the time to ensure the quality of air at his or her place of business or never trained his or her employees to handle the chemicals correctly.
If you or a loved one sustained a severe brain injury as the result of chemical exposure, don’t hesitate to call us. Our skilled Longview personal injury attorneys can help. Erskine & McMahon LLP have successfully helped our clients recover millions of dollars in compensation for their injuries and illnesses. If your medical bills were caused by the negligence of someone else, we could help you seek compensation to recover the costs. Talk to us about your case in a complimentary consultation.
Contact us at (903) 500-2490 or fill out our online form to schedule your consultation with us today. We look forward to speaking with you.