Approximately two million head injuries occur each year in
the United States and between 75,000 and 100,000 Americans
die each year as a result of those brain injuries. For those who
survive, at least 500,000 will require hospitalization and
70,000 to 90,000 will suffer long-term, physical,
intellectual, psychological and cognitive deficits.
What are the causes behind these startling figures?
Causes of TBI
|
Motor Vehicle Crashes |
Gunshot Wounds |
Falls |
Assault |
Pedestrian |
Sports |
| 64% |
13% |
11% |
8% |
3% |
1% |
The causes of traumatic brain injury (TBI) in
children vary with age. In infancy to early
childhood, falls and bicycle/pedestrian-motor
vehicle accidents are the most frequent causes
of injury. Additionally, child abuse is viewed
as a frequent cause of TBI in infants ("shaken
baby syndrome").
By late childhood and into early adolescence,
TBI sustained via motor vehicle and
sports/recreational accidents become more
frequent and severe.
The highest rates of brain injury typically occur in males
ages 15-24. Young children and individuals over 75 years
of age are also more susceptible to head injury due to
falls.
% of TBI
Injuries per Age Group
|
15-25 yrs |
26-35 yrs |
36-45 yrs |
46-55 yrs |
56-65 yrs |
66-75 yrs |
76-85 yrs |
| 31.7% |
22.5% |
19.5% |
10.0% |
7.5% |
6.3% |
2.5% |
Car Accidents
By far, the most common cause of a traumatic brain injury
(TBI) for all age groups are car accidents.
A person not wearing their seatbelt is 8.4 times more
likely to sustain a traumatic brain injury with loss of
consciousness in a car wreck.
Auto Accidents can cause a variety of injuries including
TBI, whiplash, spinal cord injuries, and other head and
neck injuries. The Model Systems National Database shows
that 72% of the TBI hospital admissions had
fractures. There were cranial nerve deficits in 17% of
cases and 4% of the individuals had a spinal cord injury.
If you have been injured in an automobile accident or as a
pedestrian, and it was the result of someone’s negligence,
you may be entitled to recover monetary damages for pain
and suffering, payment of reasonable medical expenses
incurred or which will be incurred in the future, and lost
wages.
Average lifetime cost of care for a person with severe TBI
may range from $600,000 to $1,875,000. This does not
include lost wages or compensation provided through
insurance, social security, and other supportive sources.
A traumatic brain injury is serious, and often leaves the
injured with long term disabilities. If the injury was
sustained in a car accident, and another party is at
fault, you have the right to seek compensation.
If you believe that a traumatic brain injury was caused
due to negligence,
contact us or complete our
online case
evaluation for a free consultation.
Slip & Fall
Traumatic Brain Injuries can also be caused by
slips and falls. Generally, this cause for a TBI effects
the elderly population. While slips and falls occur
frequently in the home, and are often an inevitable part
of every day living, some accidents could be prevented.
Property and business owners have a responsibility
to the public to keep their property well maintained and
safe. If a brain injury (TBI) occurred as a result of
someone's negligence, you may be eligible for
compensation. Examples of fault giving rise to slip, trip
and fall injuries include:
- Failing to remove
obstructions from walkways;
- Failing to clean up
slippery conditions;
- Failing to mark
dangerous areas;
- Failing to repair holes
and cracks in the street or sidewalk;
- Failing to install
railings and barriers;
- Failing to promptly
remove snow and ice, especially if it’s the result of
"unnatural" accumulations; and
- Failing to provide
adequate lighting
If you believe that a
traumatic brain injury was caused due to property
negligence, contact us
or complete our
online case evaluation for a free consultation. You
may be able to receive compensation for the medical bills,
loss of income, and any pain or suffering the injury may
have caused.
Other Causes
There are numerous dangerous
situations that may result in a traumatic brain injury,
not all incidents are caused by an 'at fault' party.
However, it may take the investigative experience of an
attorney to make a proper determination of fault.
For example, in most states a personal injury accident
claim cannot be made against an employer, as workers'
compensation benefits are setup as the remedy for such
situations. However, if the injury was caused by property
negligence or faulty / defective equipment, the business
owner, equipment manufacturer or others may be held
responsible.
If you or a loved one have suffered a traumatic brain
injury (TBI) please
contact us or complete our
online case
evaluation for a free consultation. You may have the
right to seek compensation, let us help you and your
family.
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