Brain Injury
Brain injuries can range from mild to severe, and symptoms may not show up right after the incident. When the head receives a blow or a jolt, the function of the brain may be disrupted, causing a brain injury, although not all head-related incidences will have the same results. Symptoms range from a mild headache to complete loss of consciousness or amnesia after a brain injury. Many times, these injuries are the result of the negligence of another, and you should know important facts about these life-threatening situations.
It is estimated that over 52,000 people die each year from traumatic brain injury, 138 people every day in the United States. Over 1.3 million are released after being treated at a hospital, and 275,000 are hospitalized. In total, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that 1.7 million people sustain a traumatic brain injury every year, although that number may be even higher because some aren’t reported or treated.
TBI is most often caused by the following things:
Over 20 percent of TBIs are caused by unknown events and factors. Active duty military personnel in war zones are at increased risk for TBI from blasts. Men are likelier than women to have TBIs, and 15-19 and 0-4 years old are the age groups most at risk. The highest death rate from TBI belongs to African Americans.
Symptoms can range from mild emotional changes to severe physical symptoms like changes in sleep patterns or nausea and vomiting. Every brain injury is different, and every individual reacts differently to injury and changes in the brain. Seeking medical attention after any type of head injury is important to reducing the symptoms of TBI, and it may even save a life. Watch for headaches, difficulty balancing, seizures or problems with vision. If anything seems to stop working properly after a blunt hit to the head, it’s time to see a doctor.
TBI can affect language, learning, emotions, sensation, behavior and thinking. These injuries have a huge effect on the body and the mind and should never be taken lightly. They can also increase the risks of developing Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s and other brain disorders.
If you or someone you love has been injured and is dealing with a traumatic brain injury because of the negligence of another, you may benefit from consulting an attorney about your options.
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