Traumatic Brain Injury ("TBI") -- mild to severe, millions of Americans suffer.

Consider this remarkable and sobering fact about traumatic brain injury (known as “TBI”) in the United States, as stated by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

“In 2013, about 2.8 million TBI-related emergency department (ED) visits, hospitalizations, and deaths occurred in the United States.  TBI contributed to the deaths of nearly 50,000 people.  TBI was a diagnosis in more than 282,000 hospitalizations and 2.5 million ED visits.  These consisted of TBI alone or TBI in combination with other injuries.”

This information comes from the CDC’s website regarding traumatic brain injury in the United States: 

https://www.cdc.gov/traumaticbraininjury/get_the_facts.html

People have the wrong idea about TBIs.  Most believe a TBI is something that leaves a person in a vegetative state; it can, but it does not have to.  As the CDC notes: “A TBI is caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head that disrupts the normal function of the brain.  Not all blows or jolts to the head result in a TBI.  The severity of a TBI may range from ‘mild’ (i.e., a brief change in mental status or consciousness) to ‘severe’ (i.e., an extended period of unconsciousness or memory loss after the injury).  Most TBIs that occur each year are mild, commonly called concussions.”

The CDC goes on to state on its website:

“Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major cause of death and disability in the United States. TBIs contribute to about 30% of all injury deaths.  Every day, 153 people in the United States die from injuries that include TBI.  Those who survive a TBI can face effects that last a few days, or the rest of their lives.  Effects of TBI can include impaired thinking or memory, movement, sensation (e.g., vision or hearing), or emotional functioning (e.g., personality changes, depression).  These issues not only affect individuals but can have lasting effects on families and communities.”

According to the CDC on its website, the leading causes of TBI include falls, being struck by or against an object, and motor vehicle collisions -- all extremely common risks and occurrences in the life of every American.

Almost all TBIs are serious injuries, and can often lead to hard-fought battles in litigation where a person or entity caused a TBI to another through carelessness, recklessness or negligence.  The battle over severe, long-term brain injury damages, and the cost of the same, is much the same as for all traumatic injury cases: the injured plaintiff deserves a long and natural life, filled with as much comfort, stimulation, love and attention he or she can be given.  It is a well-known fact that with such personal care and individual attention in a private setting, traumatically injured plaintiffs live longer.

Such care can be very expensive.

On the other hand, in opposition, it is well-known that a traumatically-injured TBI plaintiff from whom such personal, individualized care in a private setting is withheld, but who is placed instead in institutional settings with only the most basic care provided that meets minimally-acceptable medical and rehabilitation standards -- those plaintiffs die younger, sooner.

Such care can be much cheaper.

Which outcome would you choose?  It is very often the attention, persistence and skill of the injured person’s lawyer that determines the final outcome.   If you or a friend or loved one has sustained a TBI -- of whatever severity -- because of the negligence of another, contact me immediately. 

Time is of the essence.