Top 4 Causes Of Brain Injury And Compensation Claims

Our brains help us function and interpret ourselves as well as our surroundings. If we sustain a head injury, it will disrupt the brain’s ability to process, store, and retrieve information. Brain damage can ultimately hinder our ability to control our body, emotions, and social interaction.

To that end, Traumatic Brain Injury or TBI is one of the most serious health conditions. In fact, at least one million Americans suffer from head injuries every year, and around 80,000 of the injured individuals suffer from permanent damage. The consequences of this type of injury can range from mild to more serious disability. In fact, based on the research done by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, brain injury is one of the leading causes of death in adolescents and children.

Common Causes Of Brain Injury

Falls: This is the most common accident that can cause brain injury. According to the CDC, around 600,000 people suffer from brain injuries due to falls. This accident also caused the majority of TBI’s in infants, toddlers, and elderly adults.

Traffic Accidents: This is the 2nd leading cause of TBI in all age groups. In fact, close to 200,000 TBI’s annually is the result of vehicular accidents. These injuries also result in death related to TBI. To avoid suffering from TBI involving motor vehicles, here are a few tips:

• For adults and adolescents, airbags used with seatbelts offer the best protection.
• Infants and children younger than 12 years old must always be in the backseat and must use the seatbelt.
• Parents should never put their infant in the front seat, in the seat facing the rear, or otherwise.
• For pedestrians, it is advisable to wear bright and reflective clothing when walking in the dark and do not wear headphones while crossing the streets.
• Children must be guided and trained to look left, right, and then left again before they start crossing the street.

Being Struck By A Blunt Object: This is the third leading cause of TBI. It had caused 280,000 brain injury cases every year. The injury is the result of being unintentionally or intentionally struck by another person or object. This includes falling debris from construction sites, being struck against a blunt object, or by another individual.

Assault: This accounts for 10% of all the TBI cases reported in the country. This also caused 2.9% of TBIs in children and toddlers. Shaken baby syndrome, direct blows to the head of the victim, and assault using firearms are some of the most prevalent causes of this type of injury.

Can You Claim Compensation For A Brain Injury?

If you or anyone you know have suffered from traumatic brain injury and if it was caused by negligence, you are entitled to recover the damages, including all current and future medical costs, pain and suffering, loss of income, and loss of enjoyment.

Your family may also be entitled to compensation if you are forced to change your lifestyle to care for the victim. You need to understand though that claiming compensation for a brain injury is very challenging and complex that requires special legal expertise. To that end, you must first consult with a lawyer who specializes in TBI cases. He can:

• Analyze your case and let you know whether the claim is worth pursuing
• The likelihood of succeeding
• Inform you regarding the procedures and how long it will take.
• Let you know the minimum compensation for the injuries and the costs it will entail.