March 2010, Brain Injury Awareness Month

The month of March is Brain Injury Awareness Month.  Since many of our firm’s clients are the victims of traumatic brain injuries in their on-the-job accidents or from a motor vehicle collision impact, we make every effort to stay aware of the medical information surrounding brain injuries, especially what brain injury services and treatments are available to victims.

Traumatic Brain Injuries or TBI, is defined as damage to the brain from some external mechanical force.  TBI can occur through impact, acceleration, deceleration, blast waves, or penetration by a projectile.  These blows or jolts to the head or penetrating head injuries disrupt the function of the brain.  Not all blows or jolts to the head result in a TBI.  The severity of such an injury ranges.  A TBI can result in short or long-term problems with independent function.  Symptoms can be mild, moderate, or severe.  Disabilities resulting from a TBI depend on the severity of the injury, the location of the injury, and the age and general health of the victim.  Common disabilities resulting from traumatic brain injury include problems with cognition (thinking, memory, reasoning); sensory processing (sight, hearing, touch, taste, and smell); communication (expression and understanding); and behavioral limitations (depression, anxiety, aggression, personality changes, and social inappropriateness).

Close to 1.5 million Americans suffer from a traumatic brain injury each year, and 50,000 people die.  85,000 people suffer long-term disability due to a traumatic brain injury.

The most common means by which people suffer traumatic brain injury include: motor vehicle crashes, truck crashes, motorcycle crashes, slip and falls, work-related injuries, and sports injuries.

The attorneys at Schechter, Shaffer & Harris, L.L.P., Accident & Injury Lawyers are familiar with traumatic brain injuries and the prosecution of claims on behalf of TBI victims. We understand the life-changing effects for victims and their families that occur as a result of a brain injury.  Victims who suffer from traumatic brain injuries sometimes are left with huge medical bills and a lifetime of medical care in the future.  If you have a question regarding a traumatic brain injury claim, contact SMSH for a free consultation.