Omar Khawaja | October 26, 2026 | Personal Injury
When you suffer head trauma, there’s a chance that you’ve sustained a traumatic brain injury (TBI). These are injuries that occur when an external force jolts or bumps your brain, leading to damage. From T-bone car accidents and truck accidents to falls and assaults, incidents that result in TBIs can leave you with serious health consequences, medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
If you have suffered a TBI because of another party’s conduct, then you may be entitled to pursue a claim and receive compensation. Keep reading to learn more about the different types of TBIs you can suffer, what your legal options might be, and how a lawyer can help you in these cases.
Penetrating vs. Non-Penetrating TBIs
TBIs can be described as being penetrating or non-penetrating. Penetrating injuries are those that occur when an object, like a bullet, pierces the skull and damages brain tissue. The injury is typically localized, leading to location-specific symptoms.
A non-penetrating TBI is the result of a strong external force or movement that causes the brain to shake or shift. It leads to chemical changes that can result in cognitive issues, mood swings, and fatigue, among many other symptoms.
Diffuse vs. Focal TBIs
Diffuse TBIs cause widespread damage that affects large areas of the brain. Concussions are the mildest of these, though they can still leave you struggling with severe symptoms for days or weeks.
One of the most catastrophic brain injuries you can sustain is a diffuse axonal injury (DAI). This occurs when you experience widespread shearing or tearing of the brain’s nerve fibers. A DAI often results in permanent brain damage. It can be a fatal injury.
Focal TBIs, on the other hand, involve damage that is concentrated in one specific area of the brain. A contusion, or bruise in the brain, is a common example. Hematomas, which can cause bleeding in or around the brain, are also a type of focal TBI.
An extremely serious focal TBI is a coup-contrecoup injury. This occurs when the brain suffers damage at the point of impact and then rebounds, striking the opposite side.
Primary vs. Secondary TBIs
Primary injuries are the structural damage that occurs at the moment of trauma. Skull fractures, concussions, and contusions are all examples.
A secondary TBI covers the delayed damage and other effects that can develop over hours or days. It is the result of inflammation, increased intracranial pressure, or decreased blood flow. Suffering a severe lack of oxygen to the brain is an example of a secondary TBI.
Other Types of TBIs
Some TBIs don’t fit into the above categories. For example, if a person sustains a second concussion before the first one heals, they can experience life-threatening brain swelling known as second impact syndrome.
People who have suffered many concussions and other types of head trauma could also develop chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). This is a degenerative condition that can impact personality, impulse control, and cognitive function.
Contact the Texas Brain Injury Lawyers at Omar Khawaja Personal Injury Lawyers for a Free Consultation
If you or a loved one suffered a TBI because of another party’s negligence or wrongful conduct, filing a personal injury claim may give you the chance to recover your losses. Because these cases are so complex and the damage can be so significant, it’s never a good idea to attempt them alone.
If you’ve been injured in Houston or Dallas, please call Omar Khawaja Personal Injury Lawyers for a free case evaluation with a brain injury lawyer or contact us online.
We proudly serve clients throughout Texas, with offices in Houston and Dallas.
Omar Khawaja Personal Injury Lawyers – Houston Office
5177 Richmond Ave. Suite 1065, Houston, TX 77056
(281) 888-2339
Omar Khawaja Personal Injury Lawyers – Dallas Office
5345 Towne Square Dr Suite 240, Plano, TX 75024
(469) 300-5046