March is Brain Injury Awareness Month

 Posted on March 26, 2021 in Uncategorized

According to various studies and research compiled by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), traumatic brain injuries (TBI) have reached epidemic proportions. The CDC reports that more than 50,000 people die every year from causes associated with TBI. Almost 2.2 million people annually are treated at emergency rooms for an injury to their brain, and approximately 280,000 people end up hospitalized because of serious brain injuries.

These numbers do not include people who suffer concussions or other head injuries but do not seek treatment. If all those victims were included, then the CDC puts the number of people in this country who suffer brain injuries every year at well over 3 million. In honor of March as National Brain Injury Awareness month, let us take a look at some of the details associated with traumatic brain injuries.

A Serious and Complex Problem

A traumatic brain injury is defined as a disruption in the brain's normal function that can be caused by a blow, jolt, or bump to the head or by a penetrating head injury. People of all ages are at risk for TBIs, but older adults and young children are especially vulnerable.

The most common cause of brain injuries occurs from falls — representing approximately 40 percent of all ER-treated TBIs. This is especially common among children 14 years old or younger and for senior citizens, 65 or older. The second most common cause is referred to as unintentional blunt trauma. For example, being hit with some type of object or hitting one's head on a stationary object. This is the cause for about 15 percent of all TBIs.

Motor vehicle crashes are the third highest cause of brain injuries, at 14 percent. However, 25 percent of the fatalities from TBIs are a result of vehicle crashes, the second most common cause of TBI deaths.

Symptoms and Risks of TBIs

A person who receives any kind of head injury should seek medical attention immediately. Even a mild concussion can end up having deadly consequences in some cases if not treated correctly. It is also not unusual for symptoms of a TBI to not show up for several days after the person sustained the injury. A victim's emotion, language, sensation, and thinking skills can all be affected. Dizziness, confusion, decreased fine motor skills, and a wide range of other symptoms can be indicators of a traumatic brain injury.

Traumatic brain injuries have also been known to trigger epilepsy in some victims, as well as increased risk of developing Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and other brain disorders. There have also been links discovered between TBIs and depression, as well as between TBIs and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

A Texas Brain Injury Attorney Can Help

If you or a loved one has been injured in any type of accident that resulted in a traumatic brain injury, contact an experienced McKinney, TX personal injury attorney to find out what legal recourse you may have against the at-fault party. Our team will do everything we can to get you the full compensation to which the law says you are entitled. Call Burress Injury Law at 214-726-0016 for a free consultation today.

Sources:
CDC: Traumatic Brain Injury & Concussion
NIH: What are the treatments for traumatic brain injury (TBI)?
Brain Injury Association: Brain Injury Awareness