Arizona TBI Attorney
Attorney Representation in Phoenix, Arizona Since 1996
TBI Data
Traumatic brain injury, often referred to as TBI, is any damage to the brain caused by some trauma or injury, usually a blow or some other strike to the head. Even if the head is not hit, a traumatic brain injury may be sustained as happens in some whiplash incidents. Phoenix traumatic brain injuries may or may not involve loss of consciousness.
Falls, such as from a ladder or even just slipping on ice, are the most common cause of traumatic brain injury. Motor vehicle accidents are the second most likely cause of TBI, but account for the greatest number of TBI-related deaths. Other causes include collisions with stationary objects, being hit by a moving object and assault. Explosions and other blasts pose the greatest risk for TBI for active duty military personnel.
Traumatic brain injuries can be mild, such as a concussion, or can be severe and cause permanent brain damage. Mild TBI does not necessarily involve loss of consciousness, but it can. Moderate TBI involves unconsciousness of 30 minutes to 24 hours and some associated memory loss for as long as a week. Severe TBI involves more than 24 hours of unconsciousness, prolonged post incident memory loss and possibly coma. Moderate and severe TBI can permanently affect concentration, memory, personality and sensory processing and can cause seizures, chronic pain and a host of other difficulties.
Even a mild traumatic brain injury can have lasting effects. Those who suffer multiple concussions in their lifetime have a significantly increased risk of neurological problems such as Alzheimer's disease and dementia. A small number of those who sustain even one concussion will have permanent changes in memory or personality.
Second impact syndrome is a potentially fatal condition that occurs when someone with a concussion sustains a second blow to the head before the first injury has healed. The effects of the second blow are exponentially worse. When an athlete goes back into play after a blow to the head, he or she risks losing his or her life to second impact syndrome. Coaches, especially of younger athletes, must be aware of this danger and not allow injured players back on the field.
One third of all injury-related deaths in the United States involve some traumatic brain injury. Over one and a half million people sustain traumatic brain injuries in this country each year. Most are seen at emergency rooms and immediately released, but more than a quarter million require hospitalization. These numbers do not include those who do not seek medical care.
Traumatic brain injury can have profound and lasting effects on you and your family. If you are dealing with the aftermath of a traumatic brain injury caused by the recklessness, negligence or aggression of another party, you need a committed Phoenix brain injury lawyer fighting for your best interests. To secure your future, call The Breyer Law Offices today.
