Understanding Coma: Causes, Recovery, and Prognosis

Question
Dear Mr. Borucki,

I'm a writer, working on a fictional piece. In this piece, two women are attacked and beaten in an office reception area by two male intruders. One woman is beaten severely and falls unconscious. The intruders fire-bomb the place, but the other woman manages to escape with her associate in tow. The associate is rushed to the hospital in a coma.

What may be some of the causes that would put her in a coma?

Can she recover, and if she does, what is the potential for her being impaired in some way?

What is the window of time she must recover in so that she can return to her original health?

I thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to help me. I'm grateful and I look forward to your response.

Sincerely,

David

Answer
coma could be from the head injury or could be from the smoke inhalation or low oxygen.

They can recover completely or recover with memory loss or any combo of neurological problems, weakness, etc.  Writer's discretion.... there is no set "medically correct" scenario.

Timing can be short.... hours, days or could be weeks/months if you want.... the real long delays have been reported but are pretty rare.

Good luck.... if you come up with a winner manuscript.... send me a copy.