What is a Traumatic Brain Injury?

Author: Scylla Technologies

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a disturbance in the regular brain functions precipitated by a jolt, bump, or a penetrating blow to the brain. Traumatic brain injuries can have long-lasting and extensive consequences for the victims. These types of injuries carry a huge cost in terms of the emotional and physical toll on the injured individuals as well as their loved ones.

Traumatic Brain Injury Statistics in the US

• According to the CDC, there are reports of traumatic brain injuries to around 1.7 million people in the US each year.
• The annual incidence of traumatic brain injury is approximately 500 in 100,000.
• The two age groups that are most prone to sustain traumatic brain injuries are older adolescents between the ages of 15 and 19 years, and older adults aged 65 years and above.
• About 235,000 people need hospitalization because of a TBI every year. Victims of traumatic brain injuries requiring hospital care are twenty times the number of hospitalizations for spinal cord injuries.
• Traumatic brain injuries result in more than 50,000 fatalities in the US every year.
• Brain injury causes severe impairment and permanent disability in 90,000 people each year.

Common Causes of Traumatic Brain Injuries

Some of the predominant causes of non-fatal and fatal traumatic brain injuries in the US are:

• Slips and falls
• Motor vehicle accidents
• Sports injuries
• Assaults
• Suicides

These injuries can range from slight concussions to more permanent brain damage.

The Aftermath of Traumatic Brain Injuries

The outcome of a TBI can range from moderate (a mild concussion) to severe (coma). A concussion may result in momentary disorientation and headache. On the other hand, severe traumatic brain injuries can be fatal.

The impact of a TBI on your cognitive and communicative abilities can disrupt the quality of your life critically, limiting your earning capacity besides having a negative effect on several other areas of your life.

Other after-effects of mild to acute traumatic brain injuries include:

• Sensory problems like blurred vision, ringing in the ears
• Sensitivity to light or sound
• Memory or concentration problems
• Mood changes or mood swings
• Persistent headaches
• Convulsions or seizures
• Loss of coordination
• Loss of vision or hearing
• Loss of motor skills
• Clinical depression
• Incontinence
• Paralysis

What is the Extent of Damages I Can Claim for My Traumatic Brain Injury?

Brain injuries can often cause long-term, extensive damage and have a catastrophic effect on the victims’ lives. The compensation you might be eligible for in a brain injury lawsuit depends on several factors like the magnitude of your injuries, their impact on your future, the prospects of your recovery, and the extent of negligence on the part of the defendant.

It is not too difficult to calculate the economic repercussions and immediate monetary losses, such as medical expenses and lost wages. However, the non-economic damages are more abstract and thus hard to quantify. These may include emotional distress, cognitive impairments, and psychological suffering.

Contact a Winning Traumatic Brain Injury Attorney in Atlanta

Evans Injury Attorneys in Atlanta can help you in investigating and determining the culpability of the parties responsible for your injuries. Enlist our services for a skillful personal injury attorney to recover damages for your injuries, disabilities, lost wages, and loss of future earnings.