Why are Traumatic Brain Injuries Such Serious and Severe Events?

A traumatic brain injury (TBI), is a worth special attention even among the most concerning types of bodily injuries that can be inflicted upon an individual. When a person who is expressing the symptoms and signs of a serious brain injury comes into an ER or specialist’s office, the attending medical personnel should be immediately put on high alert. The reason for this abundance of caution is because TBIs can have widespread and severe effects in every aspect of the mind’s operation and the body’s functioning.  Until the type, severity and location of the damage to the brain can be assessed, doctors must account for all potential deficiencies, complications and comorbidities.

A brain injury does not necessarily have to be the product of a violent even or accident – like a car wreck or an assault – though these are often causes of the injury. TBIs can also occur due to a simple slip or trip that results in a fall. In any case, events such as these are often the event the precipitates a lifelong struggle with the impairments and deficiencies created by the brain injury.

If there is any good news regarding brain injuries it is that your brain and body are resilient and they can heal themselves over time. Unfortunately, it appears that the more severe the injury, the lesser the chance for a full recovery. Although those with mild to moderate injuries are more likely to make a full recovery, even those with a severe TBI can often make substantial progress and improvement.

What are the most common reasons for a traumatic brain injury?

Surprisingly, falls are the leading cause of traumatic brain injuries. According to statistical data compiled by researchers at the CDC, falls represented just over 40-percent of all TBI injuries. The second most prevalent cause of TBI injuries was found to be individuals who hit or otherwise strike their skull against hard objects. Brain injuries due to striking one’s head accounted for 15 and one-half percent of injuries. The third leading cause for brain injuries are auto wrecks and collisions. Vehicular accidents cause 14.3 percent of all TBIs. Finally, just over one-in-ten brain injuries are due to a violent and unlawful attack by another person. Assault and battery are an example of an unlawful attack, and an experienced Bentonville, AR slip and fall lawyer can help you navigate the process.

In light of the above, consider how simple and easy it is for a brain injury to occur. The most prevalent cause, a slip and fall, can happen anywhere to anyone. A slip and fall can happen in the home while climbing or descending a stairway. Depending on the individuals positioning when they tripped, they could tumble down a number of steps, potentially banging their head as they fall. Or, consider something as simple as shopping in a retail establishment. Goods from a top-shelf could topple over, fall and strike a shopper in the head. Similarly, a shopper could strike his or her head while bending down to reach items positioned on a bottom shelving unit. While these examples may seem a little silly in some respects that is largely because of how commonplace these events are. Stated differently, we tend always think that an injury will happen to someone else, until we are in pain and on the way to the hospital room because accidents can, indeed, happen to anyone.

What are typical consequences of a moderate to severe brain injury?

Each brain injury is unique and produces its own set of limitations and effects. However, in general there are three main criteria which largely set forth the signs and symptoms the victim will experience. These aspects of the injury include the part of the brain that was damaged, the severity of the damage to that part of the brain, and the individual’s previously existing health and health conditions.

Knowing what area of the brain has been impacted is important because different parts of the brain are responsible for different functions and responsibilities. For instance, the frontal lobes are involved with reasoning skills, planning abilities, speech, critical thinking, and emotions. Individuals who suffer frontal lobe damage may experience problems with regulating their mood, increased aggressiveness or other consequences due to damage to that brain structure. Understanding the severity of the damage is important because it can be used to predict the level of impairment the individual will experience along with offering some insight into the individual’s maximum potential recovery. Finally, it is important to know about the injured person’s general health and pre-existing conditions because people in good health generally recover more completely than those who were in poor health or had other health problems.

Work with a trusted Brain Injury Attorney in Arkansas

For more than 20 years, Fayetteville AR personal injury lawyer Ken Kieklak has fought for Arkansans who have suffered severe brain injuries and other injuries due to the negligence, recklessness, or carelessness of another person. To schedule your free and confidential personal injury legal consultation, call (479) 316-0438 today or contact us online.