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A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a devastating injury that can have life-altering effects for victims and their families. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), traumatic brain injuries are responsible for 30% of injury deaths. It is a major cause of death and disability in the United States. If you are dealing with a traumatic brain injury yourself, or if your loved one has a TBI, then you know first-hand the physical, emotional, and financial toll that these injuries can take.
What is a Traumatic Brain Injury?
A TBI is caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or a penetrating injury that disrupts the normal functioning of the brain. A TBI’s severity can range from mild (which may involve a brief change in mental status or consciousness) to severe (which may involve a sustained loss of consciousness and permanent memory loss or loss of cognitive function). The most common TBI is a mild concussion.
Common Types of Traumatic Brain Injury
Along with the severity of the injury, the type of TBI an individual sustains can have an impact on their prognosis and recovery. Some common types of TBI include:
- Concussion—an injury that commonly results from a blow to the head or rapid deceleration, such as in a car crash. A concussion can result in a brief or prolonged altered mental state.
- Coup-contrecoup—this injury involves damage or bruising to the brain tissue typically caused by the violent slamming of the skull, which results in an injury to either the impact side or the opposite side of where the blow was struck.
- Diffuse Axonal Injury-this injury is similar to a concussion but more serious in nature. It occurs when the brain moves so rapidly that the brain stem can’t keep up. This causes tears in the connection to the brain.
- Hematoma—a rupture of a blood vessel that leads to the collection of blood in the brain tissue or open spaces around the brain.
- Penetrating Head Injury—this injury occurs when an object, such as a bullet or a sharp instrument, breaks through the bone of the skull and rips through the brain tissue.
- Skull Fracture—a fracturing of the bones surrounding the brain.
Common Causes of Traumatic Brain Injury
TBI can be caused by a number of different factors, but according to the CDC, the most common causes of TBI include:
- Falls
- Motor vehicle crashes
- Being struck by or against an object
- Assault
- Intentional self-harm
Risk of Traumatic Brain Injury
Every person in the United States has a 1:160 chance of sustaining a TBI. Men are more than twice as likely to sustain a TBI than women. The three groups at the highest risk of suffering a TBI are children under 5, teenagers, and the elderly.
A Las Vegas Personal Injury Attorney Can Help
A traumatic brain injury can be life-altering, and it is especially devastating when it results from someone’s negligence. GGRM has been helping injury victims for over 50 years, and we want to help you. To set up your free consultation, contact us online or call us at 702-978-7641 today.