At Law Offices of Michael A. Kahn we have been working with clients who have suffered brain injuries for many years. In that time, we have learned that there is a lot of misinformation out there and many people do not know how common these injuries are, how serious they can be, or what treatments are available. Keep reading to find out some important facts about brain injury. If you or a loved one has suffered this type of injury, contact us today at (310) 209-1600 for a free legal consultation.
More People Have Brain Injuries Than Many People Realize
One of the most surprising things to many people is the fact that more than 2% of the population in this country has a serious disability that is the result of a traumatic brain injury. This is more than 5.3 million people throughout the United States.
The Leading Causes of TBI Are Not Often Known
Another surprising factor is that slip and fall accidents are the leading cause of TBIs. These rates are highest for children under the age of four and for adults who are 75 and older. These numbers are on the rise too – between 2002 and 2006 there was a startling 62% increase in fall-related brain injuries seen in ERs for children 14 years and younger.
Many people assume that car accidents are the most common cause of TBI. In fact, they are the most common cause of fatal TBIs but not all TBIs. In fact, someone dies of a brain injury on average very seven minutes. Simply using a helmet can prevent an average of one fatal traumatic brain injury per day and one TBI every four minutes.
The Medical Costs for Brain Injury Can Be Extreme
Despite the fact that some people associate brain injuries with death, the truth is that of the 1.7 million people who seek medical help for a TBI each year, 1.365 million of them are treated and released without being hospitalized. Another 275,000 are hospitalized but later released. The actual cost of these injuries can be extreme.
In fact, the lifetime cost of the average traumatic brain injury is more than $4 million. For the country as a whole, the direct medical costs and indirect costs (for example, loss of productivity) is around $60 billion each year. Three out of four people with a TBI will be able to return to work within three months.
It is easy to see why it is so important to work with a personal injury attorney if you or a loved one has suffered a brain injury. At Law Offices of Michael A. Kahn we have worked with many cases like yours and are standing by to help you through this process. Simply call us now at (310) 209-1600 and request your consultation.
