As the story goes, the then Morris County high school senior was in love with the game. In fact, he cherished it so much that he chose to ignore what should have been alarming symptoms. It wasn’t just the headaches from the first time he was hit on the field. By the second big impact, the young man was diagnosed with second-impact syndrome and suffered a seizure. He’s lucky to be alive.
Truth be told, athletes aren’t the only ones to suffer traumatic brain injuries. Some injuries occur as a result of motor vehicle crashes, while still others happen when someone falls and hits their head. Often, the diagnosis is devastating. That said, you might be surprised to learn some critical information about TBIs.
Traumatic Brain Injuries: What You Should Know
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that nearly three million visits to emergency rooms throughout the country involve consultations regarding possible traumatic brain injuries. In some cases, the extent of injuries is limited to a concussion. In others, a blow to the head may result in death.
At the risk of sounding morbid, you should know that at least 50,000 annual deaths are related to TBI. The fatality can occur even years after the brain injury – even as a result of a seizure brought on by the condition.
According to the Brain Injury Association of America, the most severe brain injuries involve a coma state for at least 24 hours. In some cases, doctors may induce a coma to encourage the healing process. Meanwhile, even moderate brain injuries are evidenced on neuroimaging test results.
Causes of Traumatic Brain Injury
Interestingly enough, the CDC groups the root causes of TBI by age. For example, seniors are the most likely to suffer brain injuries after falls. In fact, the highest incidence of traumatic brain injuries occurs in those over age 75. Meanwhile, the leading cause of death related to TBI was related to motor vehicle crashes – particularly for those between the ages of 5-24.
Among teenagers, traumatic brain injury can be self-inflicted. It can also relate to some sports activities such as soccer and football.
Contact Us
The bottom line is that a traumatic brain injury can represent a lifetime of the need for services. If you or a loved one suffered a TBI as a result of someone else’s negligence, you should speak with an experienced personal injury attorney to learn your legal option. Contact the Law Offices of Anthony Carbone to see how we can help you.