Head Injuries are a Public Health ProblemRecent news has exposed the prevalence of head injuries in high-impact sports. The increasing number of suicides, concussions, and injured NFL players reveal that helmets merely encase the skull, but do not protect the brain from head trauma. In football, the helmet is used as a both a shield and a tool. But the impact on the brain from collision with another helmet or body part remains the same. In fact, any blow to the head, whether it results from a vehicle or sports-related accident, has the same result. The brain rattles within the skull, eventually impairing motor, sensory, and cognitive function. Each year, more than 1.7 million people sustain a traumatic brain injury (TBI) in the United States. TBI has become a serious health concern.
Common Causes of TBITBI and other head injuries are often caused by a sudden blow or jolt to the head. In children, this jolt to the head can be serious because the bones of the skull have not yet hardened. Extensive shaking can likewise cause the brain to “rattle” within the cranium, resulting in TBI without touching the head. The most common causes of TBI include:
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Trip or slip-and-fall accidents
- Intentional hit, beating to head
- Being struck by overhead object
- Child abuse, shaken baby syndrome
- Sports-related concussions and injuries
Short and Long-Term EffectsHead injuries can be “mild” to “severe,” depending on the degree of trauma. A blow to the head may not hurt at first, but can alter the normal function of the brain. Because the brain is essential to thinking, cognition, and motor activity, any disruption can have long-term effects. Repeated mild TBIs over an extended period of time can result in cumulative neurological and cognitive defects. Repeated hits to the head over a shorter period can be catastrophic or fatal. Some of the most common long and short-term changes caused by TBI affect:
- Thinking: memory, reasoning
- Sensation: touch, taste, olfactory
- Language: communication, expression
- Emotion: depression, anxiety, personality changes
- Precursor to epilepsy, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease
Premises Liability and Head InjuriesFalls are the leading cause of TBIs in the United States. Most falls occur on public or private property due to some dangerous condition. Dangerous conditions that may cause a fall include:
- Slippery floors
- Spilled food, drinks
- Uneven steps, surface
- Loose, broken handrails
- Poorly-lit walkways, lots
- Broken elevator, escalator
Owners or manages in control of the property breach a legal duty to invitees when they fail to clean, inspect, or maintain the premises with reasonable care. Failing to prevent or fix a dangerous condition may lead to liability for any head injuries resulting from a fall. This duty applies to all property owners, including merchants, employers, and public agencies.
Head Injuries Caused by Negligent DriversTraffic collisions are the second leading cause of TBIs. Motorists breach a legal duty to others through reckless driving. When they negligently operate their cars while intoxicated or even while distracted, these drivers cause accidents. The heavy “jolt” from front, rear, or side-impact collisions often induces head injury. In these cases, the negligent driver is responsible for all economic and non-economic damages arising out of the accident.
Call a Florida Personal Injury Attorney for HelpIf your TBI was caused by negligence, contact a knowledgeable head injury lawyer in Florida today. The Lawler Firm will thoroughly investigate your case and identify all liable parties. Stephen M. Lawler has helped families throughout Tampa Bay maximize their recovery, including compensation for property damage, medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering. Mr. Lawler is a dedicated advocate who understands that head injuries have long-term physical and mental effects. That is why he is devoted to ensuring you recover all the present and future costs necessary to protect your future. Call now. (813) 413-8828. Free Consultation.