California Recurrent Traumatic Brain Injury Attorneys
Recurrent Traumatic Brain Injury
Any traumatic brain injury (TBI) puts you at risk of concussion and other serious trauma, but that danger compounds when you suffer multiple TBIs. Anyone can fall victim to recurrent traumatic brain injuries, but athletes and others who engage in sports are at higher risk.
According to the Center for Disease Control, approximately 300,000 TBIs acquired while engaging in sports are reported yearly in the U.S., ranging from mild to serious. What remains unclear is how many are recurrent injuries.
When it comes to recurrent TBIs, the following is known:
- There’s an increased risk for a second TBI among those who’ve already suffered one TBI.
- If even a mild TBI is followed within hours, days or weeks by a second injury, the outcome can be catastrophic or deadly, even if the second impact is also considered mild.
- If a TBI is followed by a second after a significant amount of time (months or years), the damage is still magnified, significantly impacting neurological and/or cognitive function.
Second Impact Syndrome
This condition is the result of acute and sometimes fatal brain swelling (also known as brain herniation) that occurs upon sustaining a second TBI shortly after an initial brain injury. The brain doesn’t have time to fully recover from even minor damage caused by an initial injury, and thus, the second impact compounds the damage and causes far more significant trauma such as life-long disability or death.
High-Risk Sports
Any sport or high-contact activity can put you at risk, but the following have been identified as particularly common causes of recurrent TBI:
- Boxing
- Bicycling
- Football
- Baseball
- Basketball
- Hockey
- Soccer
- Skiing
How to Avoid or Manage Second Impact Syndrome
Individuals should be careful while enjoying sports, particularly if a child is playing. Wear a helmet approved for use when engaging in the sport. Make sure it is the right headgear for the activity. For example, don’t wear a helmet intended to protect a baseball player while playing football. The helmet should protect you from forehead to the base of your skull without limiting your range of vision.
If you or a loved one suffers a head injury, seek medical attention immediately, even if the occurrence seems minor. Only a trained doctor can determine how serious a head injury really is and can advise you on whether it is safe to return to play. Should your doctor determine you’ve suffered a TBI, follow his or her advice as to how long to refrain from engaging in any activity that puts you at risk for a second injury. While you may be irritated by being sidelined for a couple of weeks, following your doctor’s advice may just save your life.
If you have been the victim of a recurrent traumatic brain injury, it is imperative that you contact The Brain Injury Legal Help Center immediately. Our California brain injury lawyers are skilled in all areas of brain injuries, including recurrent traumatic brain injuries, and are available to discuss your situation with you. Call today at (800) 610-1892.