Brain stem injury may presents as a result of a prolonged loss of oxygen to the brain or from trauma to the head. The brain stem is responsible for a number of functions, among them, regulation of breathing, swallowing, heart rate, and body temperature. Brain stem injury can result in behavioral, cognitive, sensory and communicative complications, as well as coma, stupors, vegetative states and death. The most common cause of a brain stem injury is a automobile accident. Falls, medical malpractice, assault, and sports injuries, can also cause injury to the brain stem. A person may be entitled to compensation for a brain stem injury that was caused by the direct or indirect actions of another person.