Posted on Dec 08, 2009

Brain Injury

 

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) occurs when sudden trauma to the brain causes damage ranging from a mild concussion to severe injury, coma, and/or death.  In some cases, a Traumatic Brain Injury can also be caused by medical malpractice due to a negligence to properly treat or diagnose an injury, such as an overdose of radiation provided to treat an underlying condition.  1.5 million brain injuries occur each year and are a major cause of death or disability in children and adults.  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it is estimated that approximately 5.3 million Americans living with long-term or permanent brain injuries need assistance to perform tasks of daily living.  Brain injury can have a severe impact on family, work and social interaction.  If you or a loved one believes that you may have a case involving a Traumatic Brian Injury and need to speak with a brain injury attorney, fill out our free case evaluation form.

 

Brain Injury Facts

 

  • Traumatic Brain Injury effects nearly 1.5 million Americans every year, resulting in 50,000 deaths.
  • Car Accidents and slip and fall accidents account for about half of the TBI cases each year.
  • The primary cause of hospitalizations for TBI is related to motor vehicle traffic; this rate is highest among teen drivers.
  • Damages from auto crashes total $60 billion annually.

 

Injuries in almost half of the patients suffering a Traumatic Brain Injury may require some type of surgery to repair the damaged section of the brain.

 

These injuries can be caused by hitting your head during a fall, a car accident, plane crashes, firearms, a sports-related collision, medical malpractice, or a motorcycle accident among others.  Automobile accidents make up half of traumatic brain injuries, while slip and fall accidents are the top cause for people over 65.  In children, physical abuse is the number one cause of traumatic brain injury.