Have You Suffered a Traumatic Brain Injury from an Accident?
Studies show that people who suffer from traumatic brain injury have an increased risk for dementia.
One study recently showed that people who have suffered from a traumatic brain injury, like often occurs in a catastrophic motor vehicle accident, are at a much higher risk of developing dementia and Alzheimer’s disease later in life. The study researched 2.8 million patient records and found that those who had suffered a head injury had a 24% increased risk of dementia than their counterparts who had not suffered such injuries.
A traumatic brain injury is defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as a disruption in the normal function of the brain that resulted from a blow, jolt, or bump to the head, or a penetrating head injury. Some 50 million people worldwide suffer from such injuries every year.
Even a single, mild concussion increases the risk of dementia by 17%, and a full-blown single, severe traumatic brain injury can increase your odds by 35%. Additionally, people who suffer four or more brain injuries have a 61% increased chance, and those who suffer five or more could see an increase as high as 183%.
Age can Play a Factor
Not only do the amount of head injuries result in an increased risk, but the age at which a person suffers from the traumatic head injury could also affect the increased likelihood. People who suffer a brain injury in their 20s are 60% more likely to develop dementia or Alzheimer’s disease in their 50s.
This statistic is particularly startling because many of the people who suffer from head injuries sustain those injuries in their 20s or even younger. While not everyone who suffers a traumatic brain injury or concussion will develop dementia, the study is enough that the researchers hope that people will take a look at their lifestyles and alter other risk factors for dementia. Traumatic brain injuries alone, not even considering dementia, can result in paralysis, decreased quality of life, permanent brain damage, and even death.
What Accidents Result in Traumatic Brain Injuries?
Traumatic brain injuries can be caused by a variety of things, but most of them are caused by violent jerks of the neck, like whiplash, or a blow to the head. Brain and head injuries are often caused by the following:
- Car accidents
- Slips and falls
- Sports injuries
How a Personal Injury Attorney Can Help
Head injuries and traumatic brain injuries can result in costly medical bills and other life-long disabilities and struggles. Filing a personal injury claim is a way to get the compensation that you are entitled to if you have been the victim of such injuries.
In Texas, damages are divided into two categories – general and special. They can include medical expenses, loss of income, property damages, pain and suffering, loss of quality of life, and emotional trauma.
Stephen G. Nagle has over three decades of experience helping victims of traumatic brain injuries. Contact his office today to schedule a consultation and start the process to getting the compensation that you deserve.