Common Causes of Brain Injuries

For Immediate Help with a Truamatic Brain Injury Case Please Call 800-561-4887

brain-injury-cause The brain is a complex organ, which is in charge of everything we think, do, say and feel. It controls all vital body functions. When head trauma results in damage to the brain, the resulting symptoms can be devastating and potentially lifelong.

Victims of traumatic brain injuries can suffer from impairments of their cognitive, emotional and physical functions. It is not only the victims who suffer long-term consequences, but also their families that are often faced with mounting medical bills and rehabilitation costs.

When a traumatic brain injury is caused by someone else's negligence or wrongdoing, victims may be able to recover compensation for their significant losses. It is important that victims and their families are aware of their rights and the steps they need to take in order to pursue their legal rights.

Brain Injury Statistics

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), at least 1.7 million traumatic brain injuries occur in the United States every year. Traumatic brain injuries or TBIs are a contributing factor in almost a third of all injury-related deaths. Not all TBIs result in fatal injuries. Approximately 75 percent of all TBIs are concussions or other forms of milder TBI. That being said, even a mild TBI can have serious side effects and consequences.

Causes of Brain injuries

According to the CDC, 35.2 percent of all TBIs involve fall-related accidents. Falls cause about half of all TBIs among children under the age of 15 and 61 percent of all TBIs suffered by the elderly. Car accidents are the next most common cause of TBI accounting for about 17.3 percent of all brain injuries. Traffic collisions are also the most common cause of TBI-related deaths as well. Approximately 16.5 percent of TBIs involve a blow to the head and 10 percent of brain injuries in the United States result from acts of violence.

Catastrophic Injuries

The potential value of a personal injury claim is dependent on the type of injury suffered and the extent to which the victim has been disabled. A traumatic brain injury is often considered a catastrophic injury because victims never return to their pre-accident stage. A number of brain injury victims may make a significant recovery, but it may never be a "complete" recovery.

For example, a brain-injured triathlete may never be able to return to his life as a high-performance athlete ever again. A computer engineer may never regain his mental abilities and be able to return to his previous job. Many brain injury victims may not even be able to return to work or earn a livelihood as a result of their injuries. Victims of catastrophic injuries will typically receive more compensation than those who have suffered a serious or minor injury, because catastrophic injuries mean that they have suffered permanent injuries or lifelong disabilities.

Damages in Brain Injury Cases

Depending on the circumstances of a case, brain injury victims can seek compensation for damages including:

All medical expenses
Emergency room care
Surgeries
Hospitalization
Medication and medical equipment
Rehabilitation
Physical and occupational therapy
Lost current and future income
Loss of livelihood
Loss of life's enjoyment
Loss of consortium
Past and future pain and suffering

Rehabilitation for Brain Injury Victims

Comprehensive evaluation, treatment and care are critical for recovery in brain injury cases. While physical impairments caused by brain injuries can hinder functional independence, the behavioral, cognitive, emotional and personality changes that are associated with a brain injury may lead to even more complex problems. Each person's rehabilitation process is unique to his or her circumstances and the type of injury he or she has suffered. Rehabilitation for brain injury victims can last anywhere from a few months to years. Insurance companies tend to drop coverage for brain injury victims after a certain period of time and families may be left in the dark as they try to come up with funds for their loved one's continued treatment and care. A number of patients do not get the rehabilitative care they need as a result of their family's financial constraints.

The Cost of Brain Injuries

The cost of treating a traumatic brain injury can be exorbitant.

Direct and indirect costs of traumatic brain injury in the U.S. have been estimated as $48.3 billion.
The lifetime costs for one person surviving a severe TBI can exceed $4 million.
An estimate of medical and non-medical needs including home modifications, health insurance and vocational rehabilitation per TBI averages $151,587.
Acute rehabilitation costs of survivors of severe TBIs could reach $1,000 a day.
Medical costs are highest for those who do not survive - an average of $454,717 per brain injury fatality.

California Brain Injury Lawyers

The experienced California brain injury lawyers of Bisnar | Chase have helped victims of catastrophic injuries and their families obtain fair and full compensation for their significant losses. Our goal is to help these severely injured individuals spend the rest of their lives knowing that they have financial security and the ability to maintain their quality of life. Our attorneys have successfully represented victims of car accidents, truck accidents and defective products. Please contact us at 1-800-561-4887 for a free consultation and comprehensive case evaluation.

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