Traumatic Brain Injury: What is TBI?

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Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is defined as the result of a sudden, violent blow or jolt to the head. Brain injuries vary depending on the part of the brain affected and the extent of the damage. Not all blows or jolts to the head result in a traumatic brain injury. A mild brain injury may cause temporary confusion and headache while a serious brain injury can cause an extended period of unconsciousness, amnesia, or be fatal.

Every year about 1.4 million Americans sustain traumatic brain injuries. More than 75 percent of these brain injuries are mild concussions but may still cause long-term problems.

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The leading causes of TBI are:

• Falls
• Motor vehicle (car, bus, motorcycle, bicycle) traffic crashes
• Struck by or against events such as sports accidents or shaken baby syndrome
• Assaults

Outcomes

The Centers for Disease Control estimates that at least 5.3 million Americans currently need for help to perform activities of daily living as a result of a traumatic brain injury. People who suffer from TBI experience changes with memory, reasoning, sensations, expressing themselves, anxiety, depression, and aggression.

TBI may also cause epilepsy and increase the risk for Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and other brain disorders that become more prevalent with age.

 Prevention

 How to reduce the risk of traumatic brain injury:

You should always wear seat belt while riding in a car or other motor vehicle; this also sets an example for your children. Infants and toddlers should be secured in a child safety seat and children up to 4-feet 9-inches should be secured in a booster seat. Everyone should be adequately restrained including the family dog so if there is a sudden stop, man’s best friend doesn’t becomes a flying object. Don’t drink or do drugs and drive; not only are you a danger to yourself and your passengers but you’re a menace to other drivers and pedestrians.

Lock up guns and store bullets in a separate location.

Wear a helmet while riding a bicycle, skateboard, motorcycle, snowmobile or ATV. Also wear head protection when batting or running bases, skiing, skating, horseback riding, or playing a contact sport. Your children should do the same.

For baby boomers and beyond: Avoid falling by installing safety features in your home - such as handrails on stairways, nonslip mats in the bathtub and grab bars in the bathroom, removing clutter on the floor, and improving lighting.

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For children: Install window guards to keep young children from falling out of open windows, block top and bottom stairs with safety gates, use shock-absorbing material for the playground and don’t forget the helmets.

If you or a loved one has suffered a traumatic brain injury, most likely you need the services of a medical malpractice law firm or personal injury lawyer. Anapol Schwartz with offices in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania as well as Reading, Media, and Harrisburg, PA; and Cherry Hill, New Jersey can help.

To help us determine if you are eligible for a traumatic brain injury case, please answer a few questions for a free consultation.

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