Traumatic Brain Injury
According to the Brain Injury Association of America, a traumatic brain injury (TBI) is defined as a blow or jolt to the head or a penetrating head injury that disrupts the function of the brain. However, not all blows or jolts to the head result in a TBI. The severity of such an injury may range from “mild, ” i.e., a brief change in mental status or consciousness to “severe, ” i.e., an extended period of unconsciousness or amnesia after the injury. A TBI can result in short or long-term problems with independent function.
The leading causes of TBI are:
- Falls
- Motor vehicle-traffic accidents
- Struck by/against (includes sports and recreation related incidents)
- Assaults (includes incidents involving a firearm)
Some of the short- and long-term affects of traumatic brain injury may include:
- Altered personality
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Difficulty with stress management
- Aggression
- Difficulty with communication and understanding
- Altered senses
- Memory loss
- Motor response impairment
- Difficulty with memory retention
- Difficulty with problem solving
Severe cases that do not result in death may result in catastrophic disabilities. Victims may require extensive care to re-learn how to do things like walk, speak, read, write, eat on their own, brush their teeth, or even use the restroom.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that approximately 1.7 million Americans sustain a traumatic brain injury annually.
Although cost-related matters are the last thing anyone wants to deal with when something traumatic occurs to a loved one, it is an issue that needs to be addressed in attaining the best possible care for the injured person.
If you or a loved one has been the victim of a brain injury due to the negligence of another person, contact us to discuss your legal rights.
