September is National Brain Injury Awareness Month

September 18, 2018

More than 2.8 million traumatic brain injuries occurred in the U.S. in 2013, according to the most recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). September is National Traumatic Brain Injury Awareness Month, a time when it is especially important to consider these injuries and learn more about how to prevent them. Every year, about 53,000 people die from brain injuries. The following information may help decrease some of these tragic deaths.

The qualified Phoenix brain injury attorneys at Phillips Law Group have prepared the following information below. If you sustained a traumatic brain injury after an accident, contact our competent legal team to schedule a free, no obligation consultation to review your situation.

What Is a Traumatic Brain Injury?

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a serious brain injury that disrupts normal brain function. It is typically caused by an external force or trauma, such as a jolt to the head after an accident. It affects communication between neurons and nerve tracts which impairs their ability to send messages to the brain. TBIs range from mild to severe and the effects can be temporary or permanent. Some result in short-term or long-term disability.

According to the CDC, the leading causes of TBI are:

• Falls
• Being struck by an object
• Motor vehicle accidents

Symptoms of TBIs

Symptoms for TBIs can vary depending on the severity of the injury. They can include physical and psychological effects.

Mild TBIs

A mild TBI may be accompanied with the following symptoms:

Moderate TBIs

These TBIs may include additional symptoms like:

Severe TBIs

Symptoms of severe TBIs include:

Complications After a TBI

TBIs can cause many severe complications. The following complications may emerge immediately after a TBI or days or weeks after:

• Coma ”“ A person with a TBI may become temporarily unconscious or permanently unconscious.
• Brain death ”“ In severe cases of a TBI, there may be no measurable activity in the brain. This is an irreversible condition that ultimately leads to physical death.
• Seizures ”“ Seizures may occur immediately after the injury or even years after it.
• Fluid buildup ”“ Increased fluid in the brain can lead to pressure and swelling in the brain.
• Damage to blood vessels ”“ Blood vessel damage can result in a stroke or blood clots.
• Vertigo ”“ Many TBI victims suffer from severe dizziness.
• Infections ”“ Bacteria may enter the brain, resulting in an infection that spreads to the nervous system.

Preventative Measures

Since a TBI cannot be completely cured, it is important that you take all possible steps to prevent a TBI from occurring in the first place. Some ways to reduce your risk of suffering a TBI include:

• Wearing a seat belt in a motor vehicle
• Not driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Wearing a helmet when riding on a motorcycle or bicycle
• Wearing a helmet when participating in contact sports and while skiing, skating, horseback riding and skateboarding
• Providing adequate lighting around stairs and entryways
• Removing fall hazards

Contact a Knowledgeable Attorney Today

If you suffered a traumatic brain injury, it is important that you contact an experienced Phoenix personal injury attorney from Phillips Law Group for assistance. We can discuss options available to you and can investigate the potential causes that led to your injury. TBIs are very expensive to treat, so it is very important that you receive maximum compensation for the injuries you sustained.

Contact us today to schedule a free, no obligation legal consultation. We charge no upfront fees and you only pay us if you recover compensation for your claim.

Call us now at 1-800-706-3000 or fill out our Free Case Evaluation form.