March is Brain Injury Awareness Month
Thanks to the efforts of the Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA), March is once again being widely recognized as Brain Injury Awareness Month. With an overarching campaign theme of “Not Alone,” the advocacy organization and those who support it will seek to increase awareness and conduct outreach related to the millions of individuals affected by brain trauma each and every year.
Statistics underscore true impact of traumatic brain injuries
According to data from the BIAA, over 2.5 million Americans suffer a traumatic brain injury during the course of a year, with another million individuals experiencing the still-devastating effects of non-traumatic harm to the brain, such as stroke and seizure events. Startlingly, the yearly cost of disabilities and care stemming from brain injuries reportedly tops $82 billion for the 5.3 million coping with them. The “Not Alone” education campaign and platform is designed to enhance public awareness of the true scope of brain injuries and the unique needs and priorities of victims and those who love them. Outreach efforts associated with Brain Injury Awareness Month are intended to remove some of the stigma faced by brain injury sufferers, offer a sense of empowerment and highlight support programs and other resources available to patients and caregivers.
Important facts about brain injuries
The International Brain Injury Association indicates that brain injuries are the most significant driver of death and disability around the globe. Further, of all categories of bodily damage, brain injuries are the most likely to produce lasting impairment. There can be no doubt about the severity of the consequences regularly resulting from brain injuries, some of which include:
- Onset of seizure disorders
- Loss of short and/or long term memory
- Cognitive impairments
- Speech disorders
- Aggression
- Depressive disorders
- Paralysis
- Vision loss
- Anxiety
- Loss of spatial orientation abilities
- Reduced impulse control
- Impairment of social skills
- Possible increase in risk of Alzheimer’s disease
How serious brain injuries frequently occur
There is a seemingly limitless number of ways in which an individual can experience a brain injury, many of which are sudden and traumatic in nature. Some victims experience mild or temporary disruptions in their routines, whereas others are left profoundly disabled for the remainder of their lives.
Common scenarios in which brain injuries occur include:
- Car crashes
- Sports-related accidents
- Slip, trip and fall events
- Worksite mishaps
- Swimming/boating accidents and submersion
- Physical assaults
- Pedestrian collisions
- Motorcycle accidents
Negligence and brain injuries in California
Sadly, an unacceptable number of serious brain injuries are the result of negligent actions or omissions on the part of others. When this occurs, there is a strong sense of unfairness, betrayal and uncertainty felt by victims and their families. Fortunately, it is possible for such individuals to seek compensation and a degree of accountability through the courts, though the process of prevailing is rarely simple or straightforward. It is often necessary to obtain the knowledgeable assistance of a team of experienced Los Angeles personal injury lawyers able to marshal persuasive evidence, expert opinions and legal arguments on clients’ behalf.
If you or someone close to you is contending with a serious brain injury that was caused by the negligence of others, there is no time to waste in pursuing the resources and financial recovery you are certain to need now and well into the future. Serving the greater Los Angeles area for well over two decades, Ellis Injury Law is prepared to aggressively advocate for your rights and help you build a brighter future. For a non-cost initial consultation, contact us by calling 310-641-3335.
Additional Brain Injury Resources
- Brain Injury Association of America, Brain Injury Fact Sheet, http://www.biausa.org/brain-injury-awareness-month.htm#FactSheet
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, TBI: Get the Facts, https://www.cdc.gov/traumaticbraininjury/get_the_facts.html
- American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, Traumatic Brain Injury In Adults, http://www.asha.org/PRPSpecificTopic.aspx?folderid=8589935337§ion=Signs_and_Symptoms