Traumatic Brain Injuries are a Leading Cause of Death and Disability

Did you know that traumatic brain injuries (TBI) are the leading cause of death and disability among children and young adults in the United States? Around 1.5 million Americans will sustain a TBI each year. Those who sustain a traumatic brain injury can most of the time appear to be “okay” when going about daily life. Unfortunately, as a society this can make it difficult for people to understand why someone with a TBI can experience mood swings and behavioral problems, among others.

The CDC shares helpful information that you will find below on Traumatic Brain Injuries.

What is a TBI?

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.

How big is the problem?

• In 2014, about 2.87 million TBI-related emergency department (ED) visits, hospitalizations, and deaths occurred in the United States, including over 837,000 of these health events among children.
  • TBI contributed to the deaths of 56,800 people, including 2,529 deaths among children.
  • TBI was diagnosed in approximately 288,000 hospitalizations, including over 23,000 among children.  These consisted of TBI alone or TBI in combination with other injuries.
• In 2014, an estimated 812,000 children (age 17 or younger) were treated in U.S. EDs for concussion or TBI, alone or in combination with other injuries.
• Over the span of eight years (2006–2014), while age-adjusted rates of TBI-related ED visits increased by 54%, hospitalization rates decreased by 8% and death rates decreased by 6%.

What are the leading causes of TBI?

• In 2014, falls were the leading cause of TBI. Falls accounted for almost half (48%) of all TBI-related emergency department visits. Falls disproportionately affect children and older adults:
  • Almost half (49%) of TBI-related ED visits among children 0 to 17 years were caused by falls.
  • Four in five (81%) TBI-related ED visits in older adults aged 65 years and older were caused by falls
• Being struck by or against an object was the second leading cause of TBI-related ED visits, accounting for about 17% of all TBI-related ED visits in the United States in 2014.
• Over 1 in 4 (28%) TBI-related ED visits in children less than 17 years of age or less were caused by being struck by or against an object.
• Falls and motor vehicle crashes were the first and second leading causes of all TBI-related hospitalizations (52% and 20%, respectively).
• Intentional self-harm was the first leading cause of TBI-related deaths (33%) in 2014.

Let Us Help You!

We are a firm founded by a lawyer with a spinal cord injury and we are equipped to advise you and champion for you as you navigate life after a traumatic brain injury or other life-changing injuries. We are the only firm in the nation founded by a nationally recognized attorney who can also share in your experience of living through and thriving after a catastrophic event. We get it because we have been there. The Spinal Cord Injury Law Firm is here to help you, contact us today at info@spinalcordinjurylawyers.com or 1-877-SCI-FIRM for a free legal consultation.