Traumatic brain injuries, including concussions, are very common in New Haven, and throughout the country. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that, in 2010 alone, approximately 2.5 million people visited emergency department, were hospitalized or died as the result of traumatic brain injuries. Generally, traumatic brain injuries occur when there is a blow, jolt or some other type of traumatic injury to the head. While many people consider these types of injuries to be primarily sports related traumas, they are also commonly caused by a number of other factors, some of which may be due to the actions or negligence of others.
According to the Mayo Clinic, falls are among the most common events that can result in traumatic brain injuries. Slipping in the shower, falling down stairs or from ladders, and even falling out of bed can all lead to these types of serious injuries. Young children and older adults can be particularly at risk of suffering traumatic brain injuries as the result of falls such as these, and similar events.
In addition to falls, many people also sustain traumatic brain injuries in vehicle-related accidents, including those that involve autos, bicycles and pedestrians. The force of the impact in these types of collisions often jolts people in a way that causes them to sustain trauma to the brain, or that causes them to hit, or be struck by, the vehicle, debris or some other object.
Beyond the accidental events that commonly result in traumatic brain injuries, violence is also a common cause. This can include physical assaults, gunshot wounds and child abuse. According to the CDC, violence, such as that resulting in shaken baby syndrome, is the leading cause of this type of injury in children from infancy to four years of age. The risk for sustaining a traumatic brain injury due to violence is the greatest for people between the ages of 15 and 44.
Even bumps or blows that seem minor can result in traumatic brain injuries. In order for people who suffer these brain injuries due to the negligence, or intentional actions, of others to ensure that their immediate medical needs and any ongoing medical care is covered, it may be helpful for them to consult with an attorney to discuss their situation.
