The Brain Injury Association of America has declared March National Brain Injury Awareness Month. Every year, during the month of March, the BIAA spreads awareness and information about brain injuries and their effects. Through their Change Your Mind campaign, The BIAA hopes to de-stigmatize brain injuries through community outreach, empower survivors of brain injuries and their caregivers, and promote support to individuals living with brain injuries.
Here at Paulsen Law Group, our Dunedin personal injury attorneys have seen the effects of brain injuries on patients, families, and communities firsthand. That’s why we support the BIAA’s efforts to educate people on the facts when it comes to brain injuries.
Brain Injuries: What You Should Know
According to statistics from the BIAA, someone in the United States of America sustains a brain injury every 9 seconds. An acquired brain injury, of ABI, is any injury to the brain that is not hereditary, congenial, degenerative, or brought on by trauma at birth. Over 3.5 million children and adults sustain an ABI every year, though the total number of ABIs in the U.S. still remains unknown.
The leading causes of ABIs include:
- Electric shocks
- Infectious diseases
- Lightening strikes
- Near-drowning experiences
- Oxygen Derivation (Hypoxia/Anoxia)
- Stroke
- Seizure Disorders
- Substance Abuse/Overdoses
- Toxic Exposure
- Tumors
One particular subset of Acquired Brain Injuries is Traumatic Brain Injuries, or TBIs. A TBI is specifically caused by an external force, leading to trauma in the brain. 137 people are killed because of a TBI-related injury in the United States each day. One out of every 60, or approximately 5.3 million Americans live with a TIB-related disability. At least 2.5 million people sustain a TBI in the U.S. every year. 280,000 of those 2.5 million people are hospitalized, while 50,000 die. 2.2 million are treated for their inuury in an Emergency Department or Trauma Center, however, there is no way of knowing how many people sustain a TBI every year without seeking treatment.
The leading causes of TBIs include:
- Assaults (10.7%)
- Motor vehicle and traffic accidents (14.3%)
- Being struck by or against something in an accident (15.5%)
- Unknown Causes (19%)
- Slip and fall accidents (40.5%)
If You or Someone You Know Has Sustained a Brain Injury, Contact a Lawyer Today
Brain injuries impact nearly every aspect of American life. From survivors, their family, and friends, to healthcare providers and insurance companies, to educators, government agencies, and employers, the repercussions of brain injuries create a ripple effect which spreads across our society.
At Paulsen Law Group, our skilled legal team has extensive experience dealing with Traumatic Brain injuries. Our attorneys work tirelessly to make sure TBI survivors receive the maximum amount of compensation in every case, whether it’s related to a motorcycle accident, pedestrian accident, slip and fall accident, or another kind of catastrophic injury. We understand that brain and head injuries are incredibly serious, and could potentially have an impact on the rest of your life. That’s why our lawyers are here to advocate for your long-term comfort and security, and to make sure all negligent parties in your case are held responsible for their actions.
Hire a law firm that believes in education and awareness. Call (727) 270-8260 now, or contact Paulsen Law Group online for a free consultation.