Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), otherwise known simply as a brain injury or head injury, is damage to the brain caused by a sudden physical force applied to the head. TBI may be caused by a direct blow to the head, a severe shaking of the head, or when an object pierces the skull and enters the brain tissue. When the head is subjected to such a blow or to a whiplash-type situation, the brain can collide with the bony-ridged surfaces of the skull. This impact tears the axons (wire-like structures) and neurons connected by the axons, causing bruising and bleeding of the brain.

Traumatic Brain Injuries range from a short term change in mental status or loss of consciousness (mild), to an extended period of unconsciousness or amnesia (severe), to death. A blow to the head does not always cause a TBI. Every head injury, however, should be checked out by a doctor since TBI symptoms often do not appear immediately, and may not appear until days or weeks following an injury.  

Statistics Regarding TBI
According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), at least 1.4 million people sustain a TBI every year in the United States. Those victims typically face one of the following outcomes:

• 50,000 die
• 235,000 are hospitalized
• 1.1 million are treated and released from an emergency department

Adults are not the only individuals that can sustain a TBI. At least 475,000 children ranging in age from newborns to 14 year olds are annually victims of a TBI, with the following outcomes:

• 2,685 deaths
• 37,000 hospitalizations
• 435,000 emergency department visits annually

The following are other important statistics related to the occurrence of TBI:

• Falls, affecting children ranging from newborns to 4 year olds and adults age 75 years or older, are the largest cause of TBI (28% of all TBI annually).
• Motor vehicle related crashes account for the second largest cause of TBI (20% of all TBI annually).
• Direct medical costs and indirect costs (such as lost productivity) of TBI are estimated at $60 billion annually. This number does not even take into account returning military service personnel with TBI.

Although about 75% of TBIs that occur each year are concussions or other forms of mild TBI, the CDC estimates that at least 5.3 million people in the United States (about 2% of the population) currently have long-term or lifelong need for help to perform daily activities because of a TBI.
 
Symptoms of TBI
The following are common symptoms of a TBI:

• Loss of consciousness
• Persistent headaches or neck pain
• Trouble with memory, making decisions, concentration, or attention
• Difficulty thinking, speaking, acting, or reading
• Increase in confusion, restlessness, or agitation
• Fatigue or lethargy
• Behavioral or mood changes
• Changes in sleep patterns
• Light-headedness, dizziness, or loss of balance
• Vomiting or nausea
• Increased sensitivity to lights, sounds, or distractions
• Blurred vision or tired eyes
• Loss of sense of smell or taste
• Ringing in the ears
• Convulsions or seizures
• Inability to awake from sleep
• Dilation of one or both pupils of the eyes
• Weakness or numbness in the extremities

Children will have many of the same symptoms. However, it is sometimes difficult for them to communicate this to an adult. Observe your child for any of these symptoms:

• Tiredness
• Will not stop crying or cannot be consoled
• Will not eat or nurse
• Changes in sleep patterns
• Changes in the way the child plays
• Changes in performance at school
• Lack of interest in favorite toys or activities
• Loss of new skills (such as toilet training)
• Loss of balance or unsteady walking
• Vomiting

Brain damage generally cannot be reversed. If you notice any of the above symptoms in you or a loved one, or if you or a loved one has suffered a blow to the head, seek immediate medical assistance.
 
Common Causes of TBI
The following are some common causes of TBI:

• Motor vehicle accidents
• Bicycle accidents
• Motorcycle accidents
• Snowmobile accidents
• ATV accidents
• Skiing or snowboarding accidents
• Sports accidents while playing a contact sport (such as football, ice hockey, or boxing)
• In-line skates or skateboard accidents
• Assault and battery
• Horse riding accidents
• Baseball and softball accidents while batting or running bases

Senior citizens should specifically be on the look out for the following:

• Tripping hazards (such as throw rugs and clutter) in walkways
• Inadequate lighting in the home
• Slippery bathtub and shower floors
• Lack of handrails on both sides of stairways
• Elder abuse

Young children are in danger of TBI from some of the following hazards:

• Falling on playgrounds that lack shock absorbing material (such as hardwood mulch or sand)
• Falling down staircases
• Falling out of open windows
• Child abuse

Possible Treatments for TBI

Anyone individual showing signs of moderate or severe TBI should receive medical attention as soon as possible. Unfortunately, little can be done to reverse the initial brain damage caused by brain trauma. As a result, medical personnel usually focus on stabilizing an individual with TBI and preventing further injury. Surgery to remove or repair hematomas (ruptured blood vessels) or contusions (bruised brain tissue) may be necessary to treat severe TBI. Furthermore, some of the following steps may be taken by medical professionals to prevent further brain damage and to help treat the effects of the brain damage:

• Insuring proper oxygen supply to the brain and the rest of the body
• Maintaining adequate blood flow throughout the body
• Controlling blood pressure
• Physical therapy
• Occupational therapy
• Speech and language therapy
• Treatment by a physiatry (physical medicine)
• Treatment by a psychology or psychiatrist
• Establishing a social support program

Other simple steps are often taken to limit future brain damage:

• Obtaining a great deal of rest
• Not rushing back to daily activities (such as work or school)
• Avoid activities that could cause another blow to the head
• Avoid driving a car, riding a bike, or using heavy equipment before a doctor determines it is safe to do so
• Avoiding alcohol until a doctor determines that it would not pose a risk

Seek Qualified Legal Representation

Bringing a claim of traumatic brain injury requires a thorough understanding of the medical complexities involving this type of injury. Success depends on both the merits of the case and your attorney’s understanding of the laws applicable to accidents causing TBI.

You must act promptly, so your attorney can preserve evidence, investigate the cause of the injury, and file a lawsuit prior to the expiration of any statute of limitations. The attorneys of the National Justice Coalition have extensive experience with traumatic brain injury claims. If you have any questions or wish to schedule a confidential consultation, please contact the National Justice Coalition to find a qualified lawyer in your area.