March is Brain Injury Awareness Month
A brain injury attorney serving victims in OH, PA, and WV highlights the dangers of TBI
Some of the most common – and most serious – injuries people sustain in accidents are brain injuries. That’s why the Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA) is spreading awareness about traumatic brain injuries throughout the month of March.
“Many people with disabilities have their lives defined for them,” the association says on its website. “The #MoreThanMyBrainInjury campaign gives individuals a chance to overcome those definitions, allowing them to tell their own stories and change the narrative of their lives.”
How common are brain injuries?
More than 5.3 million people in the country have a permanent brain-related disability, according to the Brain Injury Association of America. This is roughly 1 out of every 60 people in the United States.
Each year, an estimated 2.8 million people nationwide sustain a brain injury. Of those individuals, an estimated 288,000 head injury victims require hospitalization. In addition, an estimated 61,000 people die each year due to brain-related injuries, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Worst of all, 80 percent of adults don't know the symptoms of a concussion and other types of traumatic brain injuries. Another startling brain injury statistic – 50 percent of people who sustain a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) suffer long-term health consequences, according to the BIAA.
What are common types of brain injuries?
Adults who suffer a brain injury often sustain one of two types of brain injuries – a traumatic brain injury (TBI) or a non-traumatic brain injury.
A non-traumatic brain injury (also known as an acquired brain injury) is any injury to the brain not caused by external forces. For example, an illness, oxygen deprivation, stroke, or seizure are common causes of a non-traumatic brain injury.
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is caused by an external force or severe trauma. This may include a bump or blow to the head caused by a fall or a motor vehicle accident. TBIs are also often classified as mild TBI, moderate TBI, or severe TBI. The most common mild TBI is a concussion, which is a brain injury caused by a blow to the head.
But just because a concussion is considered a mild TBI does not mean there’s anything minor about it. Many concussions can have severe consequences, including long-term pain and chronic headaches. That’s why it’s critical that head injury victims take their symptoms seriously and seek treatment from a doctor.
Brain injuries, especially traumatic brain injuries, often occur due to a single, violent incident, such as:
- Hitting your head in a slip and fall accident
- Having your head hit an object during a motor vehicle accident (jolting of the head in a crash can also result in a TBI, as the brain crashes into the inside of your skull)
- Falling from a height, including a ladder or scaffolding, and hitting your head
- Sustaining a head injury while playing sports
- Getting hit in the head by an object
In addition, it’s also important to understand that many brain injuries occur due to the reckless actions of other people. In cases where negligence played a role in the victim's brain injury, the at-fault party may be held legally responsible for the victim's losses and future expenses (e.g., medical bills, physical rehab, costs related to future care, lost income, pain and suffering, etc.).
A brain injury attorney can protect your future
You might think you don’t need an attorney if someone else clearly caused your brain injury. But the reality is the costs associated with treating a traumatic brain injury can be high, and the long-term effects of the injury on the victim can be significant.
That means to the insurance company, your TBI represents a threat to their bottom line. And you can bet that they will do everything in their power to pay you as little compensation as possible.
At Recht Law Offices, our caring and compassionate brain injury attorneys can help you maximize the value of your claim and fight for the compensation you need and deserve.
Since 1952, our law firm has been successfully handling injury claims in West Virginia, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. As a result, we know how the legal system works in all three states, and we know what it takes to get real results for our clients.
Put your trust in a law firm that puts your needs first. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.