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San Francisco Traumatic Brain Injury Attorneys
Statistics about Traumatic Brain Injury
Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are the leading cause of death among infants, young adults, and middle-aged Americans in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Every year, approximately1.5 million people suffer a head injury, and about 52,000 people in the U.S. die from a TBI. Some estimates suggest that as many as one out of every 50 Americans, which is about 2 percent of the general population, have suffered some form of brain injury. These TBIs can range from mild concussions to severe "through and through" TBIs caused by gunshot wounds to the head.
Head injuries increase the risk of dementia and Alzheimer's disease by as much as 4.5 times. Men are twice likely as women to suffer a TBI. Military studies suggest that as many as 300,000 U.S. military personnel may have suffered some TBI from engaging in combat.
A Step-by-Step Walkthrough of a San Francisco Traumatic Brain Injury
The Initial Injury
Brain injuries can develop chronically (over long periods of time) or they can occur in an instant. Common causes of TBIs include assaults, sports-related injuries, bacterial and viral illnesses, motor vehicle accidents, asphyxiation/choking, and surgery complications. In some cases, TBI symptoms can take months or even years to appear. For example, a worker exposed to chemicals may slowly develop mercury toxicity, which can lead to oxygen deprivation to areas of the brain and ultimately damage the brain. Conversely, someone involved in a severe accident can suffer a TBI instantly.
The First 28 to 48 Hours after a TBI Accident
The quality and timeliness of the medical care a traumatic brain injury victim receives can have a significant effect on the ultimate prognosis. Victims of a TBI may experience life-threatening problems, such as bleeding in the brain, contusions, shearing of neural tissue, releasing of neurochemicals into the brain, clotting, bruising, and pressure due to the buildup of cerebrospinal fluid. Infection and other secondary consequences of the initial wound can also be life-threatening.
Medical professionals will try to stabilize a traumatic brain injury patient using variety of surgical techniques and drug interventions to prevent seizures, clotting, muscular contractions, and further damage to the brain.
The First Two Weeks after a Brain Injury
The two weeks immediately following a traumatic brain injury accident can be a difficult time. Once the patient is stabilized, doctors will carefully monitor them to make sure that brain swelling does not threaten the patient's life and also look for indications of indirect secondary damage, clotting, and additional brain injuries.
Long Term Prognosis for TBI Victims
Once a traumatic brain injury patient has been stabilized, the challenges are just beginning. The patient must be closely monitored to prevent re-injury. The primary cause of the brain damage might also need to be treated – e.g. exposure to toxic chemicals, anemia, viral or bacterial infection, stroke, or high/low blood pressure. Rehabilitation after a San Francisco brain injury accident also presents challenges and can be a very long process. However, many TBI victims are able to regain certain functions in many different circumstances, and the prognosis for a brain injury victim can vary greatly.
If you need legal assistance following a traumatic brain injury accident, connect with the San Francisco traumatic brain injury lawyers at Estey & Bomberger, LLP by calling (800) 610-1892 for a free consultation. Our attorneys can answer any questions you may have as well as advise you on the best course of action for your specific situation.