Head injuries can result in life-altering complications for victims. Our reputable lawyers in Oklahoma can help.
A head injury can be described as any injury to the scalp, skull or brain resulting from a blow or trauma to the head. Head injuries are one of the most common forms of injury suffered by Americans, and can range in severity from a minor bump on the head to permanent brain damage. According to the National Institute of Health, there are approximately two million instances of head injury per year, with about 25% of these injuries requiring hospitalization.
There are two major classifications of head injuries. The less severe and more common of these is external injury, which is mainly comprised of damage to the scalp resulting in a laceration or some swelling. The often more serious internal injury or closed head injury can include injury of the skull, interior blood vessels or the brain itself.
The most common causes of head injuries are typically accidental in nature, such as car wrecks, sports injuries, work injuries and falls, but can also include physical assault or the negligent actions of another person. Males age 17-25 are the demographic most likely to suffer a head injury, making up about 50% of all reported head injury cases. Most of these head injuries result directly from car accidents, although young children and the elderly are vulnerable to head injury mainly resulting from falls.
TBI – Traumatic Brain Injury – Oklahoma Lawsuits
Of all types of personal injury, those to the brain are among the most likely to result in death or permanent disability. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), each year, more than 80,000 Americans survive a hospitalization for a traumatic brain injury (TBI), but are discharged with TBI-related complications or disabilities. Today, there are approximately 5.3 million individuals living with a TBI-related disability in the United States.
Twenty-two percent of people who have a traumatic brain injury die from their injuries. The risk of having a TBI is especially high among adolescents, young adults and people older than 75 years of age, with the most common causes being motor vehicle crashes, violence, and falls. For individuals of all ages, the risk of traumatic brain injuries among males is twice the risk of this type of head injury among females.
The leading causes of TBI vary by age: Falls are the leading cause of traumatic brain injuries among persons aged 65 years and older, whereas transportation (auto accidents, trucking accidents, motorcycle accidents) leads among persons aged 5 to 64 years. Traumatic brain injury can greatly affect many cognitive, physical and psychological skills. Physical deficits can include ambulation, balance, coordination, fine motor skills, strength and endurance. Cognitive deficits involving language and communication, information processing, memory and perceptual skills are common. Psychological status is also often altered, and difficulties adjusting to disabilities are frequently encountered by people with TBI.
Because the majority of traumatic brain injuries are caused by motor vehicle accidents, many innocent people unnecessarily suffer because of the carelessness and negligence of others. The economic burden of treating traumatic brain injury patients is between $9 billion and $10 billion per year, and it is estimated that individuals suffering a severe traumatic brain injury may incur between $600,000 and $1.9 million in long-term rehabilitative care.
If your family has been adversely affected due to the negligence of a defective product, motor vehicle accident or any form of personal injury resulting in a traumatic brain injury (TBI), contact tour experienced attorneys at Oklahoma Legal Center as soon as possible. With law offices throughout Oklahoma and Oklahoma City, we are prepared to review your potential case today. Please contact us by filling out our contact form or call us toll free; we are here to help you.