(301) 495-3131 Call For a Free Consultation

Serving Injury & Accident Victims
in Maryland, Virginia, and DC

TBI Risk Factors

Wednesday, November 27th, 2019 By

TBI-Risk-Factors

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a serious caliber of head injury that typically is the subsequent result of a forceful or violent blow to an individual’s head. A TBI also is a typical injury with serious penetrating wounds like bullets, sharp debris, and shrapnel.

TBIs range in terms of severity, but the more serious cases can lead patients to enduring permanent complications, and even death. Because it is unfortunately very possible for literally anyone to suffer a traumatic brain injury, there are several risk factors that everyone should be well aware of.

Our team of personal injury attorneys has successfully handled countless head injury cases throughout Maryland, Virginia, and D.C., so you can rest assured that we are experts when it comes to this type of high stakes litigation. TBI cases tend to entail much more pressure on the accident victim than most personal injury cases because the damages are so vast, and sometimes permanent.

On this page we’re going to discuss some of the TBI risk factors that everyone should know, and by understanding these risk factors you’ll also be more prepared to recognize any symptoms and prevention methods to protect you and your loved ones from these devastating injuries.

So if you or a loved one has suffered a traumatic brain injury of any caliber, please don’t hesitate to contact us for a free consultation so we can go over the details of your injury and decipher your best course for legal action.

Men are Twice as Likely to Suffer from TBIs than Women

With males representing about 79 percent of all TBI accidents, it’s a clear indication that men are simply much more likely to injure their heads than women are. The reasons for this drastic discrepancy between the sexes are relatively unclear, but risk-taking and general behavior more than likely plays a significant factor in why men more frequently are TBI patients.

Testosterone and the risky behavior associated with adolescent men should make it not too surprising why they are more likely to endure brain injuries as opposed to women.

There’s an unsubstantiated fearlessness within younger men that tends to be dangerous, and it’s prevalent within many of the common causes of TBIs.

Young People and the Elderly are at the Greatest Risk for Enduring a Brain Injury

Age tends to be a significant risk factor towards TBIs, and the following age groups have an above-average risk of enduring these types of serious brain injuries:

  • Children 5 and younger
  • Both men and women between 15 and 24
  • Anyone over 75

There are varying reasons why these age demographics have a higher likelihood of suffering a traumatic brain injury, but we do have some indications as to why these age groups suffer more TBIs than others.

Children under five have softer skulls and less coordination, so they’re more likely to fall. Young adults between 15 and 24 typically engage in riskier behavior, which can lead to more car accidents and other serious injuries. The elderly also are at a generally higher risk of falling due to weakened bones and disorientation, which increases their chances of potentially slamming their heads against something hard that can lead to a brain injury.

Alcohol Use Increases TBI Risks

About 50% of all serious brain injuries have been associated with alcohol use, including by either the injured victim or the individual who caused the victim’s injury. Alcohol use is also one of the main reasons why young adults are typically at an increased risk of TBIs.

There’s no denying that alcohol use plays a major role in increasing the risks of motorcycle accidents and other roadway incidents, and this is primarily because alcohol is known to reduce an individual’s reaction times and overall thought processes.

Drinking and driving continue to be a widespread epidemic across the entire country, which is subsequently why alcohol use is such a serious TBI risk factor that all parents and vehicle owners should take seriously.

Certain Sports Increase Brain Injury Risks

Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) has been all over the news in recent years in terms of its connection to football players both young and professional. CTE is a dementia-like degenerative disease that has serious physical and mental implications for those diagnosed with the condition.

It’s just now becoming evident that thousands of NFL players who had long-term careers may have suffered from CTE throughout the league’s history, but even if a football player doesn’t make it to the pros or even college ball they can still suffer thousands of hits to the head that can result in serious brain injuries.

But, it’s important to note that every contact sport increases the risk of traumatic brain injuries. A common example is in soccer in which opposing players frequently collide heads with one another at high speeds when going up for a 50/50 header opportunity.

Non-contact sports like golf and tennis typically do not carry this type of elevated risk for TBIs, but sports like ice hockey and basketball certainly are very dangerous when it comes to the overall prevalence of head and brain injuries.

How to Reduce Your Risks of Suffering a Traumatic Brain Injury

TBI Risk factors are always certain associations with any increased likelihood of an individual suffering from a brain injury, and there are never any guarantees in terms of how you can go about your life reducing all chances of suffering these types of debilitating head injuries.

However, there are several common-sense precautions that you can take to reduce your chances of suffering a TBI, including the following:

  • Never drink and drive. Always have a designated driver when you decide to go out for a night on the town, or plan to take an Uber or taxi home!
  • Always wear a seatbelt when in a car, and a helmet when riding a motorcycle.
  • If your child plays sports you should insist that the referees enforce any rough play, and encourage your child to sit out a game or two if they require recovery time after any kind of knock to the head.
  • Encourage your children to play non-contact sports, or simply increase the age when you are comfortable letting your children participate within contact sports.
  • Install clasp bars for your elderly loved ones so they can have extra stability in their shower, or while moving around their homes.

Like we mentioned earlier, young adults are at a much higher risk of enduring traumatic brain injuries, so it’s important for parents to conscientiously talk to their children about the subsequent dangers of drug and alcohol use. Parents should also always monitor their children’s behavior and never excuse any type of risky activities as, “that’s what young people do.”

Always Get Medical Attention After Enduring a Brain Injury

If you or a loved one suffers a blow to the head, then you should go see a medical professional as quickly as you can. Receiving prompt medical attention can make a huge difference when it comes to a TBI patient’s lingering problems and overall recovery time.

Some of the common symptoms to look for when it comes to concussions and traumatic brain injuries include:

  • Losing consciousness after enduring the hit to the head
  • Convulsions
  • Seizures
  • Persistent headaches that get worse with time
  • Changes in mood, including increased restlessness
  • Sensitivity to light or sound
  • Nausea
  • Loss of coordination or balance
  • General confusion

Concussion symptoms tend to subside after about a week or two, but parents and patients should always pay close attention to see if their symptoms worsen. This could be a sign of a TBI and will ultimately require immediate hospitalization.

Anyone diagnosed with a concussion should always avoid any type of strenuous exercise or risky behavior that could potentially lead to a second concussion. It’s somewhat unknown throughout the neurological field, but it tends to be much more difficult to recover from a second concussion than an individual’s first.

Serious brain injuries like TBIs may require surgery and intensive rehabilitation, and this is especially the case if a patient’s ability to walk and talk has been impacted. Many TBI patients undergo physical and speech therapy to help regain full functionality, and mental health counseling is common to help TBI patients with the emotional toll that these injuries tend to create.

Speak with a TBI Personal Injury Expert

Traumatic brain injuries will undoubtedly cause lasting harm and health effects on victims, and some TBI victims are the result of accidents that were caused by other people’s recklessness. These TBI victims are capable of receiving financial compensation for their injuries and all the subsequent damages associated with their TBI.

At DuBoff & Associates, our team will be able to carefully assess your specific injury case and help you identify who’s at blame for your injuries and how much compensation is available to you. Contact us today for a free consultation so we can go over the details of your accident and begin the necessary initial steps towards your rightful compensation.

Filed Under:

REQUEST A FREE CONSULTATION

REQUEST A FREE CONSULTATION

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.