Whiplash Sustained In An Automobile Accident Can Cause A Brain Injury In Over 20% of Cases
A recent study revealed that what might appear to be a simple whiplash may also cause anatomical changes resulting in brain injury. It has long been known that whiplash can cause injuries to the cervical spine. However, in the July issue of The Journal of Brain Injury coauthored by Ezriel E. Kornel, M.D. FACS and Michael Friedman, Ph.D. it was determined that there was a definitive connection between whiplash and brain injury and examination of MRI scans of 1,200 neck pain patients revealed that those patients suffering from whiplash were more likely to have anatomical changes to the brain resulting in brain injury, specifically herniation of the brain called a “Chiari malformation” where the bottom part of the brain the cerebellum dips through an opening in the base of the skull after whiplash injury. The preliminary findings indicated that brain injury occurred in 23% of whiplash cases studied. This condition can be quite painful and endanger a patient’s health with symptoms including headaches, neck pain, upper extremity numbness, tingling and weakness and in a few cases there can also be lower extremity weakness and brain dysfunction. Dr. Cornell advised that anyone suffering from whiplash to see a physician immediately.
At the Philadelphia car accident law firm of Reiff & Bily, we have successfully handled over 20,000 automobile accidents claims since 1979 and are all too familiar with closed head trauma and brain injuries that result from the same. If you or a loved one has been involved in a Pennsylvania car accident, please feel free to contact one of our experienced Philadelphia car accident lawyers at 1-800-421-9595 or online at www.reiffandbily.com.
