Every day, 190 people die from injuries that include a traumatic brain injury (TBI). It is a major cause of death and disability among those age 75 years+ accounting for about 28% of TBI-related deaths. Today, an estimated 5.3 million Americans are living with a TBI-related disability.
Caused by a bump, blow or jolt to the head or by a penetrating head injury, TBIs disrupt the normal function of the brain. Mild TBIs, otherwise known as concussions or mild head trauma, result in a “brief” change in mental status (some sort of confused or disoriented state) or loss of consciousness, and account for between 70% and 90% of traumatic brain injuries.
Motor vehicle crashes account for approximately 50% of all TBIsUnfortunately, TBIs are often overlooked because the signs and symptoms may take days or weeks to appear. Even when they do appear, symptoms can be subtle and easily dismissed; however, they can lead to serious health issues, affecting:
In older adults, TBIs may be missed or misdiagnosed because the symptoms overlap with other medical conditions.
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Those that have a greater likelihood of dying from a TBI or living with long-term problems resulting from an injury include:
TBIs impact children differently than adults. Any kind of injury (mild, moderate, severe) can affect brain development, disrupting development or limiting their ability to participate in activities. They can experience changes in health, thinking, behavior, social participation and more.
How quickly you recover from this type of injury depends on the severity of the concussion, age, health status before the injury, and the care given following the incident.
Symptoms include:
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Don’t ignore signs of a potential TBI or concussion. Be safe and either go to the emergency room or visit your doctor as soon as possible.
The traumatic brain injury section on the Centers for Disease Control website offers a variety of resources, data and statistics, and more about TBIs and concussions. As you can see by the stories below, traumatic brain injuries happen many different ways and to all ages.
Those who survive a TBI can face effects that can last a few days to disabilities which may last the rest of their lives. Severe TBIs can be financially devastating, including ongoing medical expenses and lost time from work.
If your brain injury was caused by negligence, you may be able to obtain compensation to cover these costs. Seek the advice of an experienced personal injury attorney to help you evaluate your legal options. Contact us at (877) 284-6600 for a free, no-obligation evaluation of your case.
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Editor’s Note: This post was originally published September 16, 2015. It was reviewed on August 21, 2024 and republished on August 22, 2024.
