> Head injuries are among the most dangerous types of injuries a person can sustain. In some cases, a seemingly minor incident involving where there is some sort of trauma to the head injury can result in serious brain damage or even death. There are often cases involving car accidents, work accidents or falls in which a person suffers a blow to the head but no other physical damage, yet the accident changes the victim’s life forever. Head injuries are not something to be taken lightly and should be diagnosed and treated immediately, if possible.
Frequently, head injuries can result in a traumatic brain injury. In the U.S., approximately 1.7 million people suffer a traumatic brain injury each year. Among those, around 50,000 die from the injury. According to the Centers for Disease Control, about a third of all injury deaths are caused at least in party by traumatic brain injuries.
There are many types of head injuries that can occur. Most brain injuries are referred to as “closed-head injuries” which means that the brain and the skill remain intact. Only rarely do “open-head injuries occur”. There are many types of closed-head injuries. The most common type are concussions. Other closed-head injuries include cerebral contusions, intracranial hematomas and diffuse axonal injuries.
Brain injuries can have consequences that will last for years or a lifetime. Many victims of brain injuries require medical care for the rest of their lives. It’s critical that if a brain injury occurs, that it be treated immediately. If you have suffered a blow to the head, seek medical treatment even if you don’t think it was serious, particularly if you have symptoms of a brain injury. Some common symptoms of brain injuries include dizziness, headaches, vomiting, seizures, unconsciousness, and slurred speech. Friends and family should also be on the lookout for personality changes in the victim.
There are some groups of individuals that are more at risk to suffering a brain injury than others. The elderly, teens and young adults have a higher incidence of head injuries than the general population. The elderly are most likely to incur a head injury from a fall, whereas younger people are more likely to suffer a head injury in a car accident.
Fortunately, there are some steps you can take to decrease the odds that you will become a head-injury statistic. The best thing you can do is to buckle your seat belt every time you are in a vehicle. It’s also critical that you secure your child in the appropriate car seat. Another great way to prevent head injuries is to use helmets every time you ride a bike or motorcycle or play a contact sport. A lot of traumatic brain injuries are caused by recreational activities, and using the proper equipment can go a long way toward reducing those injuries.
Finally, you will also need to take steps to making your home safer for visitors, especially if you have children or seniors who are in your home on occasion. Take steps to prevent falls for kids, such as by using safety gates to guard stairs and installing guards on your windows. For the elderly, you can improve the lighting in your home, and install handrails and grab bars in the bathroom and on stairways.
If you have suffered from a head injury, you have first-hand experience with how debilitating it can be. At Liberty Law Micha Star Liberty believes that individuals who are responsible for accidents that cause brain injuries should be held legally responsible. If you or a loved one has suffered a serious brain injury or head injury in the Oakland-San Francisco area, including Hayward, Berkeley, Fairfield or Tracy, call Micha Star Liberty, personal injury attorney, at 510-645-1000 or 415-896-1000. Micha Star Liberty will help you seek compensation for your injuries. Call today.
