March has been designated as Brain Injury Awareness Month by the Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA). For the second year in a row, the BIAA is promoting Brain Injury Awareness Month with its Change Your Mind campaign. This campaign is designed to, “provide[] a platform for educating the general public about the incidence of brain injury and the needs of people with brain injuries and their families,” and it has three primary goals:
- “De-stigmatiz[e] brain injury through outreach within the brain injury community.”
- “Empower[] those who have survived brain injury and their caregivers.”
- “Promot[e] the many types of support that are available to people living with brain injury.”
With an estimated 1.7 million people suffering traumatic brain injuries (TBI) in vehicle collisions, slips and falls, and other accidents every year, and with an estimated 5.3 million people currently living with disabilities caused by TBI, the need for awareness, recognition and acceptance of these injuries is substantial. Whether you have been diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury, someone you love is struggling to cope with the lifelong effects of TBI, or you simply want to help others in your community, we encourage you to participate in Brain Injury Awareness Month in March 2019.
For more information about Brain Injury Awareness Month and the BIAA’s Change Your Mind campaign, you can visit biausa.org/ChangeYourMind.
Common Causes of Traumatic Brain Injuries
As explained by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “[a] TBI is caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head that disrupts the normal function of the brain. . . . 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).”
While the skull provides significant protection for the brain, it is not impenetrable, and collisions between the brain and the skull can cause TBI as well. In fact, most forms of TBI result not from penetrating injuries, but from internal damage caused by the brain moving inside of the skull. This includes concussions – which are easily the most common form of brain injury – along with various other forms of TBI.
According to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS), 50 to 70 percent of all accident-related TBI are the result of vehicle collisions. Sports-related falls and collisions are also a major factor, accounting for 21 percent of TBI among children and adolescents. Along with vehicle collisions and sports-related accidents, other common causes of TBI include:
- Slips and trips (including falls caused by spills, snow and other hazards)
- Falls from heights
- Bicycle and pedestrian accidents
- Work-related accidents
- Accidents in nursing homes
Learn more about common causes of TBI and the compensation available to brain injury victims in Colorado.
Levine Law | Injury Lawyers in Denver, CO
Levine Law is a Denver personal injury law firm that has recovered millions of dollars in financial compensation for individuals and families struggling to cope with TBI and other traumatic injuries. If you have questions and would like to speak with an attorney, we encourage you to call 303-333-8000 or contact us online for a free initial consultation.
