Understanding Traumatic Brain Injuries
September 20, 2016 | By Colombo Law
Traumatic Brain Injury occurs when a dramatic blow or blunt force occurs to an individual’s head or body which causes the individual’s brain to dysfunction. Not all blows to the head result in traumatic brain injuries. Instead, some forms of trauma lead to short-term symptoms similar to concussions. However, the incidents of traumatic brain injuries are startling and expose a major problem throughout the United States. In a year, approximately 1.7 million people suffer from traumatic brain injuries, of which:
- 52,000 people die from their injuries.
- An additional 275,000 are hospitalized
- 1.365 million are treated in the emergency room department.
If you or your loved one has suffered a traumatic brain injury at the negligence of another, contact Colombo Law today to determine your rights to compensation.
Common Causes of Brain Injuries
Domestic Violence: Each year, there are more than 10 million women and men who are physically abused by an intimate partner in the United States. This equates to 20 people per minute. Many domestic violence victims, especially women, have reported being repeatedly hit or kicked in the back of the head. For Susan Contreras, the unfortunate reality of being repeatedly hit in the head was a way for her abuser to hide the abuse by preventing bruises. According to the Journal on Family & Community Health, domestic assaults may cause traumatic brain injuries in at least 60% of survivors.
Sports Injuries: According to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, sports contribute to 21% of all traumatic brain injuries among children and young adults in the United States. Football is the most common sport that may result in traumatic brain injuries, although many contact sports are likely to result in a traumatic brain injury. Other sports for which brain injuries are like to result include soccer, basketball, and baseball.
Car accidents: Another major cause of traumatic brain injuries is car accidents. Many traumatic brain injuries occur as a result of the head striking a steering wheel or windshield. These injuries are not only the result of serious accidents. In fact, some brain injuries occur even when victims are traveling at speeds that would be considered moderate.
While some brain injuries are short-term with regard to the effect of an injury, traumatic brain injuries are permanent. The dead brain cells do not have the opportunity to regenerate to become fully functioning.
Contact Colombo Law Today
The effects of a traumatic brain injury are devastating. If you or your loved one has been injured in an accident or incident which resulted in sustaining a traumatic brain injury, contact Colombo Law today. Our attorneys are experienced personal injury litigators who can assist you in filing a claim against a negligent party. During an initial consultation, our attorneys will engage in a thorough review of your claim and advise you of the probability of success of your claim as well as advise if there are any defenses that a defendant may assert regarding your claim.
