Some Leading Causes of Severe TBI

 Posted on November 24, 2023 in Catastrophic Injuries

Traumatic brain injuries are a leading cause of disability and death in the United States. Traumatic brain injuries, or TBIs, are caused by a force being exerted on the brain, which can cause severe damage.

In a recent year, there were 69,473 TBI-related deaths nationwide, with an estimated 190 TBI-related deaths daily.

If you have suffered from a severe TBI, our Rockford brain injury lawyers are here to help you recover the compensation you deserve.

What is a Traumatic Brain Injury?

A TBI is any bump or blow to the head that affects the brain’s function. A traumatic brain injury can be caused by a penetrating injury or a non-penetrating injury. 

A penetrating or open head injury happens when an object pierces the skull. Conversely, non-penetrating injuries, or closed head injuries, occur when an object causes the brain to shake inside the skull but does not break through the skull. 

TBIs may involve primary and secondary injuries. A primary injury is the initial brain trauma, while a secondary injury involves the change to the brain’s chemistry as a result of the trauma, causing tissue further damage. A secondary injury may take hours or days to evolve.

Symptoms of Severe TBIs

A severe TBI may result in a patient experiencing a prolonged period of unconsciousness. This could even cause the person to be in a coma or to experience amnesia.

Emotional and cognitive deficits may include, but are not limited to:

• Mood swings
• Feeling nervous, anxious, sad, or depressed
• Feeling more angry or aggressive than usual
• Difficulty with decision-making
• Difficulty understanding concepts
• Trouble communicating and learning new skills
• Problems concentrating
• Memory loss

Physical deficits may include, but are not limited to:

• Weakness in arms or legs
• Coordination and balance problems
• Changes in vision and hearing
• Changes in sensory perception, including touch

Behavior changes may include, but are not limited to:

• Trouble controlling behavior
• Personality changes
• More impulsive than usual

Common Causes of Severe TBIs

Falls

It is estimated that every 20 minutes, an elderly person falls. Senior adults are at a higher risk of falling due to decreased strength and stability issues.

Falls usually result in non-penetrating injuries but can still cause blunt-force trauma to the head. For instance, an elderly person could fall and hit their head against a coffee table, which can result in internal bleeding or damage to the brain.

Motor Vehicle Collisions

Closed head injuries are common in motor vehicle collisions. Even if the airbag deploys, there is enough force in a crash for your head to hit other structures in your car. Open head injuries also occur in car accidents since shattered glass can pierce through the skull.

Sports Injuries

Each year, 1.6 to 3.8 million sports injuries result in a TBI. Athletes in high-impact sports, including baseball, football, and soccer, are at a high risk for TBIs. 

Many times, a TBI may result in a laceration (cut in brain tissue) or contusion (brain bruise). These injuries are usually mild, but if there is excessive bleeding or swelling in the brain, a laceration or contusion can rapidly become life-threatening.

No matter the cause, if another person contributed to your TBI, you need to speak with a Winnebago County brain injury lawyer today.

Contact a Rockford, IL, Brain Injury Lawyer Today

A traumatic brain injury may impact more than just a few hours or days of your life; it can lead to a permanent disability. If you have sustained a TBI as a result of an accident, our Winnebago County, IL, brain injury lawyers are here to help. Contact Mannarino & Brasfield, A Division of Schwartz Injury Law online today or by phone to schedule your free consultation.