As homeowners begin summer home improvement activities, it is important to remember the risks involved. Since a lot of chores or renovations occur on top of roofs or against tall, outer walls, falls are not an uncommon occurrence - and neither are serious injuries. In fact, according to statistics from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), falls are the leading cause of traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) in the United States.
What Is a Traumatic Brain Injury?
The term "traumatic brain injury" encompasses a range of injuries, from a mild concussion to a coma that lasts for months and those injuries that result in amnesia, or loss of memory. About 1.7 million traumatic brain injuries occur every year in the U.S.
How Do Traumatic Brain Injuries Happen?
Although we read a lot about concussions in the sports pages (154 were reported in the first eight weeks of the last NFL season alone), blows to the head are not the leading cause of brain injuries. Falls in which the head absorbs a substantial part of the impact are the leading causes of traumatic brain injuries, constituting 35.2 percent of all traumatic brain injuries in the United States. However, almost half of all brain injuries requiring hospitalization are the result of vehicle accidents. Traffic accidents account for almost 20 percent of all traumatic brain injuries.
What Are the Effects of a Traumatic Brain Injury?
The effects traumatic brain injuries can have on a patient varies with the wide range of injuries. A mild concussion and other mild brain injuries may not require hospitalization and can be treated on an outpatient basis. More severe injuries, however, have more serious effects. Short-term effects may include memory loss and extended periods of unconsciousness, while long-term effects may include a range of social, emotional and intellectual difficulties. Victims of severe traumatic brain injury may experience depression, anger, personality changes and social confusion due to a new sense of self.
An Attorney Can Help
If you or someone you love has suffered a traumatic brain injury in a motor vehicle or workplace accident, contact an experienced personal injury attorney. A knowledgeable personal injury lawyer can assess your case and help you get the compensation you deserve. For more information, contact an attorney today.
