Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a medical phrase used to describe a specific type of damage to the brain suffered by a sudden impact or physical force to the head. According to data cited by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 1.7 million people suffer from traumatic brain injury every year.

The body has numerous protective mechanisms to keep our brains, the critical communication center of our bodies, safe. Our skulls provide an internal helmet, a hard covering of bone, to insulate our brains from injury. Another safeguard is a fluid substance called cerebrospinal fluid, which the brain more or less floats in within our skulls. This provides additional cushion to protect the delicate structure of the brain.

However, certain injuries can circumvent these natural protections, causing a traumatic brain injury. TBI is an umbrella term that covers a wide variety of symptoms and disabilities arising from an injury to the brain.

TBI can result when an overwhelming force causes the brain to impact against the interior of the skull itself. This is why TBI is also frequently referred to as a "closed head injury." This simply means that the injury did not occur due to damage to or fracturing of the skull; rather, the skull was the hard object that the brain smashed into, causing injury.

TBI injuries can occur in many different ways. In fact, numerous types of personal injuries can result in traumatic brain injury. The CDC notes that falls account for the highest percentage of TBI injuries. This is especially true for children and senior citizens. Among children (defined as ages 0 to 14) who suffer from TBI, about half sustained the injury as a result of a fall. Seniors were even more susceptible, with 61 percent of TBI cases in people over age 65 attributed to fall accidents.

Among all age groups, car accidents were the second leading cause of TBI. Of those who died as a result of TBI, 38 percent had suffered that brain injury in a car accident, the highest fatality rate for TBI causes. Car crashes can cause TBI as a result of a person hitting his or her head on the windshield or by non-impact whiplash injury, among other ways.

Pedestrians can also suffer from TBI after being struck by a vehicle, or if they hit the pavement in an accident. Injury can occur with even a low-speed impact. People can also suffer TBI from high-impact sports injuries, especially in contact sports such as football or rugby.

TBI can also occur as a result of intentional bad acts. Assaults (being beaten or injured with a firearm or other weapon) are the third top cause of TBI among average age adults. (Thankfully, children and seniors suffer from assault-related TBI at a very low rate, 2.9 and 1 percent respectively.)

Traumatic brain injuries can be devastating for victims. Unlike some other injuries that can heal with time and rehabilitation, injury to the brain can result in long-term brain damage or impairment. Brain injuries might include:

• Mild or severe concussion
• Temporary or extended unconsciousness
• Long-term or short-term amnesia
• Loss of sensory ability (sense of smell, for example)
• Emotional disturbance and depression
• Impaired communication skills
• Inability to "think straight" or concentrate

Cognitive ability, personality, and basic sensory function can be damaged with even minor injury to the brain, with injuries ranging from mild and temporary brain injury to permanent and long-term brain injury. Additionally, brain injuries can take time to manifest - with symptoms arising well after the initial injury occurred.

Due to the complexity of legal cases involving TBI brain injuries, those who have suffered from such injuries should speak with an experienced brain injury attorney. Issues of proof and causation are best handled by an attorney who has an extensive understanding of this area of law. If you or a loved on is in need of legal guidance regarding a TBI injury, please contact Mansell and Mansell APC either through our secure Web form or by telephone to speak with traumatic brain injury lawyer Robert Mansell today. Calls are confidential and the initial consultation is absolutely free. (323)466-4900.

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