Quick Facts about Traumatic Brain Injuries
Traumatic brain injuries, or TBIs, occur when a blow or jolt to a person’s head results in a disruption in normal brain function. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicates1 that approximately 1.7 million people in the United States sustain a TBI each year. TBIs can occur in a variety of ways, but when they happen in preventable accidents, victims can often recover for their injuries and other losses by filing a personal injury claim against the party or parties that caused their injuries. Consequently, it is essential that anyone who has sustained a TBI discuss their options with an experienced Clearwater personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. TBI victims should be aware that their claims are subject to a strict statute of limitations2, meaning that there is a limited amount of time in which a person can file a claim.
The attorneys of the Dolman Law Group are dedicated to helping TBI victims protect their legal rights and are available to discuss your case with you at no charge. In fact, we never request legal fees from any of our personal injury clients unless we successfully recover compensation on your behalf. As a result, you should not hesitate to call the Dolman Law Group immediately to schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced personal injury attorneys.
In the meantime, below are some facts about traumatic brain injury that may be relevant to many victims and their families.
- Traumatic brain injuries account for 225,00 hospitalizations and 1,365,000 emergency department visits each year.
- Across all age groups, males are more at risk for TBI than females.
- Children from 0-4, older adolescents aged 15-19, and adults over 65 are the age groups most likely to sustain a TBI.
- Just under 500,000 children 14 and under visit an emergency due to a TBI each year.
- The age group with the highest rate of hospitalization for TBI is adults over 75.
- Male children 4 and under have the highest combined rates for emergency department visits and hospitalizations due to TBI.
- Falls are the most common cause of TBI, and the groups at the highest risk of such falls are small children and older adults.
- TBIs resulting from falls most often require emergency department visits or hospitalization.
- Between 2002 and 2006, emergency department visits and hospitalizations due to TBI increased by over 5 percent.
- Between 2002 and 2006, TBIs caused by falls among children under 14 increased by 62 percent.
- The most common of TBIs, in order of occurrence, are falls, being struck by or against an object, traffic-related accidents, assaults, and other causes.
- Almost 300,000 people suffer TBIs in traffic-related accidents annually.
Common issues associated with traumatic brain injuries
Traumatic brain injuries can leave victims with serious physical and cognitive impairments that have the potential to have a significant impact on their daily lives. In some cases, the after-effects of a TBI could keep a person from working or even being able to live independently. Of course, the severity of the complications experienced by victims is directly related to the severity of the initial injury. Some of the kinds of complications that victims can experience include the following:
- Emotional problems
- Difficulty communicating
- Problems with memory
- Issues with motor skills
- Problems with speech
Fortunately, Florida tort law allows people who are injured by the negligence of others to recover for both their economic and non-economic damages. There are a variety of ways that negligence can lead to traumatic brain injuries, including careless driving, failure to properly maintain premises, negligent supervision of children, or careless product design or manufacture. By discussing your case with an experienced lawyer, you can be sure that your legal rights are protected and that you obtain the compensation to which you are entitled.
Dolman Law Group
800 North Belcher Road
Clearwater, FL 33756
727-451-6900
1http://www.cdc.gov/traumaticbraininjury/pdf/blue_book.pdf
