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Traumatic brain injury (TBI) accounts for the disability of an estimated 5.3 million Americans with the highest rate of injury occurring between the ages of 15 and 24. Those under the age of 5 and over the age of 75 are also at high risk, according to the International Brain Injury Association (IBIA). 

Every two years in March the IBIA holds the World Congress on Brain Injury where colleagues from around-the-world meet and present the latest research on brain injuries. The IBIA reports that of all the types of injury a person may sustain, those injuries to the brain are among the most likely to result in death or permanent disability. Brain injury is the leading cause of death and disability worldwide and is the leading cause of seizure disorders, according to IBIA. 

Every year, according to IBIA: 

• One million Americans are treated and released from hospital emergency departments as a result of traumatic brain injury.
• 230,000 people are hospitalized and survive.
• 80,000 people are estimated to be discharged from the hospital with some TBI-related disability.
• 50,000 people die. 

What is TBI? 

The CDC (Centers for Disease Control) says that TBI occurs when a sudden trauma, often a blow or jolt to the head, causes damage to the brain. The severity of TBI can range from mild (a concussion) to severe (coma). A concussion may cause temporary confusion and headache and sometimes causes permanent cognitive changes, while a severe TBI can be fatal.

What Events Cause TBI? 

According to the Mayo Clinic, the common events causing traumatic brain injury include the following: 

• Falls are the leading cause of TBI (40.5 percent). Falling out of bed, slipping in the bath, falling down steps, falling from ladders and related falls are the most common cause of TBI overall, particularly in older adults and young children.

• Violence accounts for 20.5 percent of TBI, such as gunshot wounds, domestic violence or child abuse. Shaken baby syndrome is traumatic brain injury caused by the violent shaking of an infant that damages brain cells.

• Sports injuries are second only to motor vehicle accidents in young adults 15-24 and account for 10 percent of all TBI. TBI’s may be caused by injuries from a number of sports, particularly in youth.

• Vehicle-related collisions represent 14.3 percent of all TBI. Collisions involving cars, motorcycles or bicycles, and pedestrians involved in such accidents, are a common cause of traumatic brain injury.

• Explosive blasts and other combat injuries are common causes of TBI in active-duty military personnel. Although the mechanism of damage is not yet well understood, many researchers believe that the pressure wave passing through the brain significantly disrupts brain function. 

How can TBI be Prevented? 

The Brain Injury Association of America has the following suggestions: 

• Make your home safer by removing things from stairs and places where you walk that can cause someone to trip or fall. 

• Wear a seat belt every time you drive or ride in a motor vehicle.

• Buckle children in the car using a child safety seat, booster seat, or seat belt according to the child’s height, weight and age.

• Never shake a baby. Make sure the head is supported at all times.

• When playing sports or riding bicycles, wear a helmet and make sure children wear helmets that are fitted properly.

• Make sure playground surfaces are made of shock-absorbing materials, such as hardwood mulch or sand, and are maintained to an appropriate depth. 

“It is essential that a person involved in any accident, whether it is from a slip and fall, while in a motor vehicle, while playing sports or on a playground or anywhere else, seek medical treatment following any blow to the head. Remember, the full effects of a brain injury may take days or even weeks to develop. Contact the experienced brain injury attorneys at Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. if you or a loved one is involved in an accident,” said Naples Brain Injury Attorney, Randall Spivey. 

Naples Brain Injury Attorney,  Randall L. Spivey is a Board Certified Trial Attorney – the highest recognition for competence bestowed by the Florida Bar and a distinction earned by just one (1%) percent of Florida attorneys. He has handled over 2,000 personal injury and wrongful death cases throughout Florida. For a free and confidential consultation to discuss your legal rights, contact the Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A., in Lee County at 239.337.7483 or toll free at 1.888.477.4839,or by email to Randall@SpiveyLaw.com. Visit SpiveyLaw.com for more information. You can contact Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A.in Charlotte County at 941.764.7748 and in Collier County 239.793.7748.