TBI: Why is it important to understand it?

Unless it’s happened to you or someone you know, you may not fully comprehend traumatic brain injury, but understanding TBI is critical because it is an important public health problem, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  TBI is an injury to the brain caused by trauma, not disease. It may be caused by a bump, blow or jolt to the head that disrupts the normal function of the brain. 

Common causes are gunshots, car crashes, assaults or slip and fall accidents. Severity may range from a mild TBI, which causes a brief change in mental status to a severe TBI, leading to an extended period of unconsciousness or amnesia. Severe injuries increase the risk of a greater number of and more severe complications.

According to staff at the Mayo Clinic, some people with TBI may experience seizures within the first week. Some serious TBI’s may result in recurring seizures, called post-traumatic epilepsy. Some people who have had TBI may also experience swelling and increased pressure on the brain from cerebrospinal fluid building up in the spaces of the brain called the cerebral ventricles. TBI may also cause a meningitis infection if skull fractures or penetrating wounds tear the layers of protective tissue called meninges that surround the brain. Blood vessel damage may also lead to stroke, blood clots or other problems. Nerve damage from a TBI to the base of the skull that damages nerves that emerge directly from the brain called cranial nerves may result in loss of facial sensation, sense of smell, loss of vision, swallowing problems.

Some of the common problems associated with TBI include changes in thinking (cognitive) skills, communication problems that may lead to frustration, behavioral changes, and emotional changes.
In Florida, approximately 370,000 people are living with a TBI-related disability, a statewide needs and resources assessment shows. By 2015, it is expected to rise to 435,350 people. Well Florida Council: Working Together for Healthy Communities authored the assessment with project partners: Brain Injury Association of Florida, Inc., Florida Department of Health, and Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Program.

Key findings show that children 0-4 years, young adults 15-24 years, and adults 65 years and older are at greatest risk for TBI. Falls were the leading cause of TBI in the state, and they were most common among the youngest and oldest age groups. Motor vehicle accidents were the leading cause of TBI-related deaths.
Resources listed in the assessment include Florida’s Trauma System, access to immediate and long-term rehabilitation and therapy, support groups and support networks, and access to information and resources. But if you have suffered a TBI due to someone else’s negligence, you may need additional legal help.

For more information, please contact a Florida personal injury attorney at (813) 471-4444, or visit
VanguardAttorneys.com.