Tackling Issues Associated With Brain Injury
Every year, the Brain Injury Association of America encourages their countrymen and women to understand the effects of this malady on individuals and their families. The BIAA has worked hard for 30 years to increase the public’s awareness of traumatic brain injury and how it affects families. To better alert the public, March has been named brain injury awareness month. Together, we can help those with brain injuries have a better quality of life and help families meet new responsibilities.
Theme for 2020
The theme chosen for 2020 is called change your mind (#ChangeYourMind). This platform is intended to help the public gain a clearer view of brain injuries through education. For most people, traumatic brain injury is fully recognized when it affects someone in their family or a close friend. The BIAA is hoping to broaden this to business owners, caregivers, and others so that those with a traumatic brain injury will not feel ostracized or unable to participate in life activities. Some specific ways the BIAA is doing this is to focus on the following areas:
- Empowerment: The BIAA hopes to provide a sense of empowerment to those who have been afflicted by a traumatic brain injury. Beyond that, the organization hopes to extend this strength to family members and other caregivers.
- Dissuade labeling of those with a TBI: As with other illnesses, lack of familiarity often causes the afflicted person to be labeled. This serves to limit the person both socially and physically. By copartnering with the wider brain injury community, the BIAA seeks to help expand social and personal awareness.
- Support for those coping with brain injury: Life goes on after a traumatic brain injury, and resilience is key to moving forward. By outlining the many ways those with a brain injury can rejoin the wider community, the association hopes to bring a positive attitude to family members and patients.
What Is a Traumatic Brain Injury?
A traumatic brain injury occurs when the head is impacted sufficiently to cause harm. The leading cause of TBI is from falls. Because of balance difficulties, older Americans are more likely to fall and incur a brain injury. This can range from a mild concussion to a more severe injury. The number of TBI-related injuries due to falls has increased in the past decade with an almost 20 percent rise. Those over 75-years-of-age have the greatest risk. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises that those at high risk be identified, and factors leading to falls be modified.
Auto accidents are another leading cause. Some types of motor vehicle accidents are often cited as having a high potential for TBI, such as head-on collisions and rollover, especially where an occupant is ejected. Using a seatbelt can prevent many traumatic brain injuries. Pedestrians and those riding a bicycle or scooter also are prone to head injuries. In the latter group, wearing a helmet is often sufficient to lower the risk by 70 percent.
Types of Traumatic Brain Injuries
There are some traumatic brain injuries that are more common. These are:
- Concussion: This is a common injury among sports players. In some cases, repeated concussions can lead to life-altering symptoms. It is also seen in motor vehicle accidents.
- Subdural hematoma: This is an accumulation of blood between the dura and arachnoid membranes surrounding the brain. It is caused by blood vessel trauma due to impact to the head. It usually causes headaches and neurological symptoms and may require surgical intervention. This is common amongst older individuals since even a slight blow may cause hemorrhage due to the fragile nature of their blood vessels. In older people, the onset of symptoms may take longer to appear, and in some cases, resolve without intervention. Your physician will be able to do testing, such as a CT scan, to determine the way to proceed.
- Hemorrhage into the brain: An accident may have sufficient force to cause intracranial bleeding. This requires immediate attention.
How an Attorney Can Help
Depending on the cause of the traumatic brain injury, an attorney can be of immense help in obtaining the necessary funds to pay for medical treatment, lost wages, and continuing care. They will evaluate the accident for negligence and use that information to either negotiate with the insurance company or take a negligent party to civil court. Because of the cost of medical care today, having an attorney at your side when this happens to you or a member of your family is important.
Sacramento Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento traumatic brain injury lawyer. If you have suffered a brain injury due to negligence, I may be able to help. Call me at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400 for free and friendly advice. You can also reach out to me online.
I’ve been helping Sacramento residents in all types of car accidents, brain injuries, and other forms of trauma obtain the compensation they deserve since 1982.
I am pleased to be a member of the Million Dollar Advocates and the National Association of Distinguished Counsel.
Learn more about my practice on the following pages:
Photo Attribution: https://pixabay.com/illustrations/head-brain-radiology-medical-human-1058432/
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