Dec 29, 2020
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) typically results from a violent force or jolt initiated to the head or body. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) define a traumatic brain injury as “a disruption in the normal function of the brain that can be caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head, or penetrating head injury.” The CDC warns that people of all ages are at risk for sustaining a TBI, particularly children and older adults.
A traumatic brain injury can result from any direct blow by a blunt force tool, such as a baseball bat or hammer, or any object capable of penetrating the brain tissue, such as a bullet or shattered portion of skull. On a case-by-case basis, TBIs can vary significantly in terms of severity. A mild traumatic brain injury may affect one’s brain cells on a temporary basis, and recovery may be possible through rehabilitation. More severe TBIs resulting in bruising, torn tissues, internal bleeding, and various physical damage to the brain can result in long-term complications or even death.
According to the Mayo Clinic, when analyzing symptoms of traumatic brain injury, patients can have myriad physical and psychological effects depending on the severity of the injury. Some symptoms manifest immediately following the accident, while others may be more prolonged, taking weeks or even months to present. The Mayo Clinic has outlined some symptoms relative to specific types of traumatic brain injury (e.g. mild, moderate, severe, and those affecting children).
According to MedScape, Traumatic brain injury is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States, and the leading cause of death in persons aged 1-44 years, with approximately 2 million traumatic brain injuries occurring annually. A National Institutes of Health survey estimates that each year 1.9 million people experience a skull fracture or intracranial injury. Firearms account for the largest proportion of deaths from traumatic brain injury in the United States. Tragically, each year close to 20,000 people sustain gunshot wounds to the head.
If you experienced a Traumatic Brain Injury, don’t wait to file a claim. Contact our expert attorneys online or by phone for a free consultation today.
TBI is typically categorized as mild, moderate, or severe. There is also a specific classification for TBI affecting children.
Signs and symptoms that may be evident in a mild traumatic brain injury can include:
Physical symptoms
Sensory symptoms
Cognitive or mental symptoms
Moderate to severe traumatic brain injuries can include any of the signs and symptoms of mild injury, as well as the symptoms below which commonly appear within the first hours to days following a head injury:
Physical symptoms
Cognitive or mental symptoms
Infants and young children with traumatic brain injuries might not be able to communicate. Additionally, children may exhibit headaches, sensory problems, and confusion. In a child with traumatic brain injury, the following may be observed:
While it may seem logical that car accidents would be the leading cause of TBI, in actuality the CDC has confirmed that, as of 2014, slip and falls accounted for almost half (48%) of all TBI-related emergency department visits. Moreover, falls affect children and adults much more frequently than the rest of the population.
The CDC’s 2014 Statistics Indicate:
- Almost half (49%) of all TBI-related emergency department visits among children 0 to 17 years old were due to falls.
- Four in five (81%) TBI-related emergency department visits in older adults (those aged 65 years and older) were caused by falls.
The second leading cause of TBI-related emergency department visits entailed being struck by (or against) an object. Such incidents accounted for approximately 17% of all TBI-related emergency department visits in the U.S. in 2014.
Additionally, over 1 in 4 (28%) TBI-related emergency department visits involving children less than 17 years of age were due to an object directly striking the child or the child being pinned against the object.
Falls and motor vehicle crashes were the first and second leading causes of all TBI-related hospitalizations (52% and 20%, respectively).
Intentional self-harm was the first leading cause of TBI-related deaths (33%) in 2014.
Some Additional Causes of TBI Identified by the Mayo Clinic Include:
The Mayo Clinic also notes that traumatic brain injury frequently results from penetrating wounds, severe blows to the head with shrapnel or debris, and falls or bodily collisions with objects following a blast.
Some accidents, such as explosions, natural disasters, or other extreme events, can cause both closed and penetrating TBI in the same individual.
Sam Dordulian is an award-winning sexual abuse lawyer with over 25 years' experience helping survivors secure justice. As a former sex crimes prosecutor and Deputy District Attorney for L.A. County, he secured life sentences against countless sexual predators. Mr. Dordulian currently serves on the National Leadership Council for RAINN.
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