Traumatic brain injury is often thought of as being a concussion and other conditions related to concussions. While the concussion is the most common type of TBI, it is far from the only one. Diffuse axonal injuries, penetrating injuries and contusions are some of the other forms of TBI that people can suffer from.
Diffuse axonal injuries are those that involve a tearing of the tissues in the brain. This is commonly associated with shaken baby syndrome, but can also occur when the head is shaken violently, such as in a motor vehicle accident.
Penetrating injuries are those that involve something going into the brain. This could be from an act of violence, such as a gunshot or stabbing. It can also be associated with an accident if a piece of metal pierces the brain.
Contusions are bleeds that occur on the brain. This puts pressure on the brain and can cause serious injuries since the brain is confined in the hard skull.
People ages 75 and older, as well as those who are 15 to 24, are in the age groups most likely to suffer from a TBI. Around 5.3 million people in this country have disabilities from TBIs. Males are at more than twice the risk of suffering from a TBI than females.
The causes of TBIs vary greatly. Falls are the most common cause, unintentional blunt trauma is the second most common cause and motor vehicle accidents are third on the list.
If your TBI was caused by a motor vehicle accident, fall or some other cause that was someone else's fault, you might opt to seek compensation. This could help you to cover the costs of missing work or from medical bills.
Source: Family Caregiver Alliance, "Traumatic Brain Injury," accessed Jan. 06, 2017
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