Every March, the Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA) works to raise awareness about brain injuries. The theme for this year’s Brain Injury Awareness Month is ‘Not Alone.’ The campaign is focused on educating the public about the incidence of brain injuries, as well as how they can help victims and their families. The campaign also aims to reduce the stigma surrounding this type of injury, empower survivors, and help people locate the support they need. Contact a Boston Injury Lawyer Today.
Brain Injury Facts and Figures
- Each year, more than 3.5 million people experience an acquired brain injury (ABI), an injury typically caused by electric shock, oxygen deprivation, infectious disease, stroke, seizure disorder, drug abuse, trauma, or certain tumors.
- Currently, there are more than 12 million Americans living with ABI.
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a type of ABI caused by external-force trauma.
- Annually, about 2.5 million people suffer TBIs in the United States. Of those, about 2.2 million are treated in the emergency department, 280,000 are hospitalized, and 50,000 die.
- Someone in the U.S. sustains a TBI every 13 seconds.
- One out of every 60 Americans lives with a TBI-related disability (about 5.3 million people).
- The most common causes of TBIs are falls (40.5%), being struck by something (15.5%), motor vehicle accidents (14.3%), and assaults (10.7%).Concussions are Brain Injuries Too
Physicians are taking this opportunity to highlight the importance of treating youth sports-related injuries. These injuries are often downplayed, sometimes resulting in long-term damage that may have otherwise been treatable. Dr. Jeffrey T. Barth, a brain injury expert in Virginia, is working in collaboration with a team of brain injury professionals to educate young people on the prevention and treatment of concussions. The team will reach out to students, parents, teachers, coaches, and the community at large to help them learn how to identify concussion symptoms, and what steps to take when an injury occurs. To do so, Dr. Barth and his team will work with athletic directors and sports coaches on baseline assessment programs he created. These programs help coaches, players, and other team members to evaluate the severity of a head injury based on cognitive tests conducted on each athlete prior to the injury.
Altman & Altman, LLP – Personal Injury Lawyers Serving Boston and the Surrounding Areas
If you or a loved one has suffered a brain injury due to the negligence of another, you may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and lost wages. Brain injuries can cause serious complications, including difficulty walking, talking, and completing even minor tasks. Living with a brain injury can be difficult for the entire family. Complications may last a lifetime. If the negligence or carelessness of another caused harm to you or a loved one, the skilled personal injury team at Altman & Altman, LLP can help. Our attorneys have extensive experience in this area, and we’ve been protecting the rights of accident and injury victims for more than 50 years. Our knowledgeable, compassionate lawyers will help you understand your rights and options before moving forward. Contact Altman & Altman, LLP today for a free consultation about your case.