Brain Injury
According to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS), 1.7 million cases of traumatic brain injuries occur in the U.S. each year, and 80,000-90,000 people experience the onset of long-term or permanent disabilities associated with a traumatic brain injury (TBI) annually. 50-70% of these traumatic brain injuries are the result of a motor vehicle crash, while the rest are caused by traumatic events that cause you to sustain a severe blow to the skull. The damage caused by a severe TBI can affect every aspect of your life. As a result, traumatic brain injuries are often categorized as a catastrophic injury due to the lifelong symptoms associated with a severe TBI and the overall impact these symptoms can have on your future.
Moreover, the signs and symptoms associated with a TBI might not manifest themselves all at one time and the costs of medical care for a person suffering from a TBI can be substantial. As such, if you or a loved one have been involved in an accident that resulted in you sustaining a severe brain injury, there are a few important things about brain injuries that you should be aware of such as how a TBI occurs from a biological perspective, common symptoms associated with a TBI, and the overall cost of medical care for TBI patients in the U.S.
What is a Traumatic Brain Injury or TBI?
Your brain is responsible for each function you perform with your body every day. Your brain controls involuntary functions such as breathing, digesting food, and hearing as well as voluntary functions such as walking, moving your arms, and using your fingers. However, despite the fact that the brain is arguably the most complex organ in your body, it is also extremely fragile.
As such, when you are involved in a serious accident that causes you to sustain one or more severe blows to your skull, this trauma can cause you to sustain a skull fracture or a serious head injury that causes you to lose consciousness for an extended period of time, normally six hours or more. Moreover, the trauma your skull has sustained can cause an interruption in the normal functioning of your brain due to injuries such as:
- Hematomas, which is a blood clot, within or on the surface of the brain
- Contusions, which are bruises, on your brain tissue
- Bleeding within the brain tissue, which is referred to as an intracerebral hemorrhage
Symptoms Associated with a Brain Injury
Due to the fact that your brain is responsible for both physical and psychological body functions, the symptoms associated with a brain injury can be divided into two categories, cognitive and physical symptoms. Cognitive symptoms can affect how your brain processes information and your emotions. Common cognitive symptoms associated with a brain injury include:
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This list is not all-inclusive, and the effects of many of the symptoms referenced above are permanent in nature. Unfortunately, the physical symptoms associated with a TBI can be even more devastating than the psychological symptoms. Common physical TBI-related symptoms include:
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Treatment Costs for Brain Injuries
According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), indirect and direct medical expenses associated with traumatic brain injuries in the U.S. cost an estimated 76.5 billion dollars in 2010. Moreover, according to the AANS, the estimated cost of medical expenses for TBI-patients in the U.S. is 48 to 56 billion dollars per year. In other words, medical expenses associated with a brain injury are extremely high and vary on a case by case basis depending on the severity of the injury and how it ultimately affects you. Moreover, if the TBI was caused due to another person’s negligence, the medical expenses associated with sustaining a TBI clearly demonstrate why you need to hire an experienced personal injury attorney that specializes in brain injury cases, because failing to do so is a mistake that could affect your life and the lives of your family members forever.
Personal Injury Attorney Specializing in Brain Injuries In Fort Lauderdale, FL
At Friedland & Associates, our personal injury attorney has helped multiple accident victims seek the compensation they deserve for their injuries, and he stands ready to help you. Our personal injury attorney will gather evidence on your behalf, negotiate with the insurance company, and if needed, take your case to trial. Don’t let a brain injury ruin your future. Call Friedland and Associates today for a free consultation to find out how an experienced personal injury attorney specializing in brain injuries can help you.
