Head Injuries Including Traumatic Brain Injuries can be Devastating

Head injuries are not just for football players, although it's estimated that there are at least 1.6 million sports-related brain injuries every year. The 3 leading causes of TBIs are falls, blunt trauma to the head and motor vehicle crashes.

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is any blow to the head or a penetrating injury that disrupts the brain's normal function. A TBI can be mild, where there is a change in an individual's mental status but it only lasts briefly (concussions are mild TBIs) or severe where there is a lengthy period of memory loss and/or unconsciousness.

TBIs present a huge problem. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that in 2010 there were 2.5 million emergency room or hospital admissions for TBI's with 50,000 resulting in death.

TBIs are complex injuries that can cause partial or total disability. Your skull protects your brain and inside it a special fluid surrounds your brain to protect it from impact with the skull. But if the brain hits the inside of the skull, which can happen when a rapid force or deceleration is applied to the head, the tissue inside the brain can be damaged.

Brain injuries can cause a long period of coma or amnesia. The victim may also have other long-lasting problems with:

• Motor function - weakness, balance
• Cognitive ability - memory and attention
• Emotion - anxiety, depression, personality changes
• Sensation - vision, hearing, impaired perception

These physical, cognitive and emotional impairments can negatively impact the victim's ability to work, live independently and have normal relationships.

Incredibly, almost a quarter of a million children under age 19 are treated each year for concussions or TBIs for sports and recreation-related injuries. Many of these can be prevented by taking these precautions:

• Always wear protective headgear during contact sports practices and games
• Wear a helmet when riding a bicycle, scooter or all-terrain vehicle or when enjoying activities like skateboarding, skiing, skating and horseback riding
• Emphasize strengthening and conditioning in workouts

It's important to recognize the signs of a potential TBI so prompt action can be taken. Note that some signs may take days or weeks to appear. Look for:

• Loss of consciousness
• Being dazed, confused or disoriented
• Headache
• Nausea
• Dizziness
• Mood swings
• Drowsiness or insomnia
• Slurred speech
• Weakness or numbness in toes or fingers
• Convulsions

You can find more information from BrainLine.org.

The impact of a TBI can be far-reaching and even lifelong. If you or a family member has received a head injury in a car accident, premises accident or any other personal injury, please call the Law Offices of Diana Santa Maria, P.A. for a free consultation. Attorney Diana Santa Maria, personal injury attorney in Fort Lauderdale, will fight to get you the compensation that you and your family deserve. You can reach us at (954) 434-1077 or contact us via the website.