What To Know About Brain Injury Awareness Month

Agencies and organizations across the country recognize March as Brain Injury Awareness Month. This is a time to spread awareness about the seriousness and prevalence of traumatic brain injury (TBI), and how it affects the lives of those who suffer such injuries.

Like anyone else, people who have suffered TBI want a full, happy life. A home, loved ones and security. Although a person living with TBI may face additional challenges, you can support them by showing them they are not alone. Family members can make a huge difference by understanding what their loved one is dealing with. Depending on the severity of the TBI, your family member may be dealing with any combination of physical, emotional, mental or cognitive effects.

As part of the effort to increase TBI awareness, please review these facts:

• TBI makes up about 30 percent of all deaths in the US caused by injury each year
• TBI can and does lead to serious, lifelong disabilities in some cases
• Movement, emotions, mental/cognitive functions and sensation can all be affected by TBI, sometimes permanently
• More than 2 million people suffer TBI in the US each year

*Information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

According to the CDC, there are certain risk factors for TBI based on statistics gathered from 2006 to 2010:

• Males are three times more likely to die from TBI injuries than women
• Most TBI victims who died were 65 or older (falls were the leading cause of TBI among this group)
• Auto accidents were the leading cause of deadly TBI among victims ages 5-24
• Among TBI victims who were hospitalized but survived, ages 15-44, the leading cause of the injury was auto accidents
• Falls were the leading cause of non-fatal TBI hospitalizations for children age 0-14 and for adults 45 and older

Brain injuries are a common injury in the US, and victims are not alone. Although the consequences can be life-altering, family members and experienced injury lawyers can provide the support and guidance needed to take steps toward a full recovery.