Personal Injury
Defective ProductsCommon Causes of Brain Injuries
A brain injury is non-hereditary damage to the brain that happens after birth. There are two types of brain injuries: traumatic brain injuries (resulting from an accident or other blow to the head) and acquired brain injuries (resulting from a non-traumatic injury, such as a stroke, brain tumor, infection or substance abuse).
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that 1.7 million people sustain traumatic brain injuries annually. Of that figure, 52,000 die and 275,000 require hospitalization. In fact, brain injury is the leading cause of death and disability in persons under 45 years old, occurring more frequently than breast cancer, AIDS, multiple sclerosis, and spinal cord injury combined, according to the Brain Injury Association of America. An estimated 5 million Americans have some form of disabling condition due to a traumatic brain injury. These people will continue to need medical care and some forms of personal assistance throughout their lives.
So what causes brain injuries?
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
Traumatic brain injuries may be caused by a direct blow to the head, where the force of the blow can break through the skull and damage the soft brain tissue. This type of TBI can be caused by:
- Falls
- Motor Vehicle Accidents (passengers or pedestrians)
- Sports
- Firearms
- Assaults/Physical Violence
If these incidents occur, seek traumatic brain injury treatment as soon as possible. Alternatively, TBI may result when the brain is moved forcefully within the skull. Some causes of this type of TBI are motor vehicle accidents involving whiplash injuries or Shaken Baby Syndrome. In these cases, the brain moving within the skull causes the nerve fibers in the brain to separate and damages the brain tissue.
Acquired Brain Injuries
Acquired brain injuries occur on a cellular level. In other words, these injuries are sustained because cells throughout the entire brain are affected. This type of injury is commonly caused by:
- Asphyxia (when the body is deprived of oxygen for extended periods of time)
- Excessive blood loss
- Injuries in which the chest has been crushed
- Stroke and heart attack
- Certain illnesses and diseases (e.g., meningitis, some venereal diseases, insect-carried diseases, and AIDS)
- Exposure to toxic chemicals
Recovering from a traumatic brain injury is difficult for those who sustain them and for their families. Brain injuries affect cognitive, physical, emotional and social abilities. They may affect brain development and they often impair, temporarily or permanently, the individual's daily living skills affecting their ability to live independently.
Sometimes a brain injury is due to an unavoidable incident or condition that is nobody's fault. Too often, however, the brain injury is due to the negligence or criminal action of someone else. If you believe that you or your loved one suffered a brain injury because of someone else's negligent or criminal behavior, you should seek legal advice. You may likely be entitled to compensation for your medical expenses and other expenses that occur as a result of the injury.
If you want to know your rights, want to know what your case is worth, want compensation, want justice, or would like to ensure the same thing doesn't needlessly happen to someone else, call 800-561-4887 today to speak with your best friends in the legal industry. The call is free. The advice may be priceless.
Call a head injury attorney at Bisnar | Chase Personal Injury Attorneys, LLP for a free professional evaluation of your rights by attorneys who have been representing brain and other personal injury victims since 1978. You will experience award winning representation and outstanding personal service by a compassionate and understanding law firm in a comfortable environment.
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