Traumatic brain injuries interfere with normal brain function and often require hospitalization and ongoing treatment. TBIs account for 30% of fatal injury cases and a person in Central and South West Virginia may experience several types of TBIs.
Overview of TBI
A TBI occurs from a blunt force trauma to the brain, which causes it to push against the skull. A TBI ranges from mild with or without a brief loss of awareness or moderate or severe, requiring hospitalization. A mild TBI is commonly a concussion, which may cause dizziness, fatigue, headaches, vomiting, nausea, and blurred vision.
A diffuse axonal is a more serious TBI that occurs when the brain’s axons, or nerve fibers, get damaged. A coup contrecoup TBI is a bruise that occurs under the site of impact on the opposite side. Some common signs of a serious TBI include longer loss of consciousness, seizures or convulsions, coma, and loss of bowel and bladder control.
Other TBI facts and figures
Reports find over 5 million U.S. citizens live with a permanent disability from brain injuries, and around 2.5 million experience a TBI annually. In 2020, there were over 64,000 deaths from brain injuries and around 223,000 hospitalization from TBIs in 20219. TBIs can happen to anyone, but certain groups are at risk including veterans, people 65 and older, and some ethnic minorities.
The top cause of brain injuries are falls, which account for around half of hospitalizations for TBIs. A TBI from falls is more likely to occur in the 0 to 4 age group and the 65 and older age group.
A TBI can require several weeks of medical treatment or long-term care. People can seek damages from third parties they believe are responsible.