A traumatic brain injury is defined as a disruption to brain function caused by an external physical force such as a violent shaking or a blow to the head. According to the Brain Injury Association of America, motor vehicle crashes are the major cause of brain injury in people younger than age 75. A concussion, or closed head injury, accounts for about 75% of annual brain injuries. Even a mild closed head injury may cause headaches, memory problems, and difficulty thinking. More severe injuries include paralysis and death.
The Centers for Disease Control estimate that each year in the U.S. as many as 1.5 million people sustain a traumatic brain jury. That's one TBI every 21 seconds. Of these victims, approximately 50,000 die, 23,000 are hospitalized, over 1,000,000 are treated in an emergency room, and 80,000 to 90,000 suffer long-term mental disabilities. Brain injury is the leading cause of death in motorcycle crashes. Approximately 50,000 children are struck by a vehicle each year, often sustaining serious brain injuries. Approximately 5.3 million Americans currently have a long-term or lifelong need for assistance in performing activities of daily living such as eating, bathing, and dressing.
The signs and symptoms of a traumatic brain injury are often subtle, and may not appear until days or weeks following an injury. Oftentimes, an injured person will look fine even though they may act or feel differently. Common signs and symptoms of traumatic brain injury include:
Behavioral:
Physical:
Cognitive:
- Irritability
- Headaches
- Attention difficulties
- Depression
- Dizziness
- Concentration problems
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
- Memory problems
- Sleep disturbances
- Fatigue
- Orientation problems
- Problems with emotional control
- Uneven gait
- Loss of initiative
- Nausea
- Difficulties at work or school
- Blurred vision
- Problems with relationships
Taking a careful medical history is often critical to detecting a traumatic brain injury, so it is extremely important to seek a complete medical evaluation if you or a loved one experiences these common signs and symptoms.
The cost of traumatic brain injuries to North Carolina residents is enormous. For example, in 2000, hospital charges (excluding professional fees and medications) totaled $118,000,000. This figure does not include lost time from work for victims and their caretaker families. An estimate of years of potential life lost due to traumatic brain injury deaths from 1989 through 1998 in North Carolina is 65 million years.
Brain injury survivors and their families often face a long, difficult road to recovery.
A family's life is often dramatically changed by the worry, costs, and uncertainty surrounding a loved one's brain injury. For these reasons, it is critical to hire a caring, compassionate, and experienced attorney.
Representative Cases:
Seven-figure verdict for a 48-year-old woman who suffered traumatic brain injuries when a city bus slammed into her pickup truck.
Six-figure settlement for a college student who suffered a closed head injury when his car was struck by a speeding drunk driver.
Confidential settlement on behalf of a 23-year-old man who sustained head injuries when a drunken teenager struck him with a garden hoe.
Confidential settlement on behalf of a United Parcel Service driver who suffered a closed head injury when a truck darted out in front of his vehicle.
TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY RESOURCES
The following sites provide helpful information to brain injury victims, their families, and their caregivers:
American Academy of Neurology www.aan.com
The American Academy of Neurology (AAN) provides resources for medical specialists worldwide who are committed to improving the care of patients with neurological diseases.
Brain Injury Association of America www.biausa.org
A national clearinghouse of treatment resources, prevention awareness, and research information. The organization is dedicated to improving the quality of life of victims of the “silent epidemic.” The Association’s Family Helpline receives thousands of calls each year from victims and their family members seeking support.
Brain Injury Association of North Carolina www.bianc.net
An affiliate of the Brain Injury Association of America, the association provides lists of North Carolina resources available to survivors and their families. The site includes information about support groups throughout the state.
BRAIN magazine www.oxfordjournals.org
Provides researchers and clinicians with original contributions in neurology. Leading studies in neurological science are balanced with practical clinical articles. Its citation rating is one of the highest for neurology journals.
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Sources www.cms.gov
U.S. federal agency which administers Medicare, Medicaid, and the State Children’s Health Insurance Program.
Centre for Neuro Skills www.neuroskills.com
Founded in 1980, Centre for Neuro Skills (CNS) is an experienced and respected resource of rehabilitation programs for acquired brain injury. With facilities in Bakersfield and Los Angeles, California; and Dallas, Texas, CNS offers intensive, cost-effective and outcome-driven residential, outpatient, and in-home rehabilitation programs for individuals recovering from all types of acquired brain injury.
Disability Resources Monthly www.disabilityresources.org
Provides extensive disability resources on the internet.
National Brain Injury Research, Treatment, and Training Foundation www.nbirtt.org
A national not-for-profit foundation organized to provide support for research, treatment, and training in brain injury through individual research grants, contracts, and small business grants. Its primary goal is to find a cure for brain injury.
National Spinal Cord Injury Association www.spinalcord.org
The National Spinal Cord Injury Association (NSCIA) is a non-profit membership organization for people with spinal cord injuries, diseases and dysfunction, their families, their related service providers, policy makers, organizations, hospitals and others interested in the issues affecting the spinal cord injury community. Their mission is to enable people with spinal cord injuries, diseases and dysfunction to achieve their highest level of independence, health and personal fulfillment by providing resources, services and peer support.
Neurology Consultants of the Carolinas www.neurology-consultants.com
Neurology Consultants of the Carolinas, based in Charlotte, North Carolina, specializes in the research, diagnosis and treatment of conditions and diseases affecting the central and peripheral nervous system. Its mission is to improve patient care and advance neuroscience knowledge.
Neurrosciences on the Net www.neuroguide.com
Neuroscience guide to information on the internet.
Neurotrauma Registry www.neurotraumaregistry.com
Provides a resource list to assist in the proper care of those with acquired brain injury, spinal cord injury, or other complex neurotrauma.
Social Security Administration www.ssa.gov
Information on obtaining Social Security benefits, including disability benefits.
University of North Carolina Injury Prevention Research Center www.iprc.unc.edu
The Center's mission is to build the field of injury prevention and control through a combination of interdisciplinary scholarly approaches to research, intervention, and evaluation as well as through the training of the next generation of researchers and practitioners.
