What are the most common causes of TBI?

Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) occur when a sudden force, jolt, or object disrupts the brain’s normal function. These injuries range from concussions to severe trauma that results in long-term issues, affecting individuals of all ages and backgrounds. Consulting a traumatic brain injury lawyer and understanding how TBIs occur empower individuals to protect their rights, plan for recovery, and explore options for covering medical expenses and other losses. This blog explores the most common causes of TBIs, how they affect victims, and what injured individuals and their families should know about pursuing compensation. 

What are the most common causes of traumatic brain injury (TBI)?

• Falls – The leading cause, especially among young children and older adults.
• Motor vehicle accidents – A major contributor, often resulting in serious TBIs from head-on impacts or rollovers.
• Sports injuries – High-impact activities like football, hockey, or biking frequently cause concussions.
• Assaults – Violence, including shaken baby syndrome and blows to the head, can lead to severe TBIs.
• Struck by objects – Common in construction zones or during recreational activities.

Falls and Slips as Leading Causes of TBI

Falls are consistently reported as the leading cause of traumatic brain injuries, affecting individuals across various age groups. Older adults and young children are particularly vulnerable, but they aren’t the only ones affected. Falls occur in everyday environments such as homes, workplaces, stores, or sidewalks.

Some common causes of fall related TBIs include:

• Wet or slippery floors in public spaces.
• Unsafe stairs without rails.
• Uneven walkways or potholes in parking lots.
• Falls from ladders or scaffolding at construction sites.

When property owners neglect basic safety measures, injuries frequently occur. For instance, neglecting to repair a broken handrail or failing to clean up a spill may result in legal liability for someone else’s injury. Fall injuries not only physically harm the individual but may also lead to unexpected medical expenses, loss of income, and other challenges.

Car and Truck Accidents as Major Contributors to TBIs

Car accidents, including those involving trucks, motorcycles, and bicycles, result in numerous head injuries each year. The force of a crash propels a person against a hard surface, such as a dashboard, pavement, or another vehicle. Despite airbags and seatbelts, the head may still experience violent motion or direct impacts, leading to damage to the brain. Even wearing a helmet doesn’t guarantee full protection—traumatic brain injuries can still occur from the force of impact or sudden acceleration and deceleration.

The following scenarios commonly result in brain injuries during vehicle collisions:

• Rear-end collisions that cause whiplash.
• Side-impact crashes at intersections.
• Rollovers, where passengers are thrown around inside the vehicle.
• Pedestrian accidents involving cars.

Blame for an accident sometimes lies with a distracted driver or someone who violated traffic laws. Other times, a malfunction in a car or motorcycle, such as faulty brakes or airbag deployment, contributes to the crash. Local attorneys unravel these issues to determine if another party shares responsibility for your head injury.

Workplace Hazards and Traumatic Brain Injuries

Workplace accidents are a common cause of TBIs, particularly in high-risk occupations such as construction, manufacturing, and warehouse operations. Workers in these fields frequently face heavy machinery, elevated equipment, and other hazards.

Head injuries in the workplace often happen due to:

• Falls from ladders, scaffolding, or roofs.
• Being struck by falling objects such as tools or construction materials.
• Slip-and-fall accidents on wet or uneven work surfaces.
• Explosions or blasts in industrial settings.

Employers must maintain safe environments for their employees, which includes properly training workers, providing safety equipment like helmets, and securing equipment. Injuries from unsafe work conditions may result in workers’ compensation and personal injury claims against third parties like contractors or equipment manufacturers.

Sports and Recreation-Related Traumatic Brain Injuries

Athletes, whether professionals or children on school teams, face the risk of TBIs in sports involving contact, fast movement, or both. Sports injuries often result in concussions, but more serious cases may occur, especially if a player returns to the game without sufficient recovery time.

The sports most linked to brain injuries include:

• Football
• Hockey
• Rugby
• Soccer
• Skiing/snowboarding

Even recreational activities like biking, skateboarding, and horseback riding may lead to life-altering injuries if proper precautions aren’t taken. Wearing helmets is a key safety measure, particularly for these activities. When faulty equipment, poor field conditions, or negligence by coaches or referees contribute to an athlete’s injury, legal action may hold those parties accountable.

Assaults and Acts of Violence

TBIs resulting from intentional harm, such as assaults or domestic violence, have severe consequences for victims and their families. Head trauma occurs when someone strikes the victim, throws them against an object, or uses a weapon.

Some examples include:

• A person being punched, kicked, or struck during a physical fight.
• Domestic abuse cases involving blows to the head.
• Injuries caused by firearms or other weapons.

Victims of violence often concentrate on criminal charges against the perpetrator, but they should also be aware of their option to file civil lawsuits. A personal injury case helps recover damages for medical treatment, emotional distress, and other financial losses related to the injuries.

Defective Products That Lead to Brain Injuries

Malfunctioning consumer products may also lead to TBIs, even in seemingly safe environments. For instance, a poorly designed helmet may fail during a bicycle crash, or a defective airbag might deploy too forcefully, causing harm.

Some defective products linked to TBIs include:

• Helmets for sports or work environments.
• Car seats for children involved in vehicle accidents.
• Safety equipment like harnesses or hard hats used on worksites.

Manufacturers are responsible for making their products safe. If they fail to warn users about potential dangers or sell defective items, injured buyers have the right to hold them accountable. Product liability cases require extensive investigation to prove design, manufacturing, or marketing negligence. Attorneys who handle these cases guide injured victims.

Military and Industrial Blast Injuries

Pressure waves from explosions or blasts pose unique challenges for victims suffering from TBIs. These injuries occur in military combat zones and industrial workplaces where hazardous materials are managed. Explosions may hurl victims against walls or other structures while also sending dangerous debris flying at high speeds.

Military personnel face increased dangers from repeated exposure during training, which raises the risk of ongoing brain health issues. Civilian workers injured in industrial accidents involving blasts may hold third parties accountable if inadequate equipment maintenance or violations of workplace safety laws contributed to their injuries.

Medical Errors and Trauma During Treatment

Although less common, TBIs may occur during medical care due to errors that place patients at unnecessary risk. Mismanagement during surgeries or injuries resulting from the improper use of devices may harm patients. Delays in diagnosing or treating brain conditions, such as swelling or bleeding, also have life-altering consequences.

For example, medical professionals may face liability in cases where:

• A patient suffers brain damage due to insufficient oxygen during a procedure.
• Medical staff fails to act when signs of internal bleeding arise.
• Surgical tools or techniques directly stress or injure the brain.

Patients harmed this way might pursue medical malpractice claims. These claims require proof of negligence and expert testimony to confirm that the treatment fell below accepted care standards.

Symptoms of Traumatic Brain Injuries

TBIs produce a wide range of symptoms depending on the injury’s severity. Some symptoms may appear immediately, while others take hours or even days to appear. Understanding these signs is crucial for recognizing when to seek medical assistance and assessing their effect on daily life.

Mild TBIs, often referred to as concussions, may cause symptoms that seem minor at first but may interfere with regular activities. 

These include:

• Headache or dizziness.
• Nausea or vomiting.
• Sensitivity to light or sound.
• Feeling dazed, confused, or disoriented.
• Memory loss, especially about the moments before or after the injury.
• Difficulty concentrating or thinking clearly.

For instance, a student with a mild TBI may struggle to concentrate in class or feel tired after only a brief reading session, making studying challenging.

Moderate to severe symptoms of TBIs often involve life-altering symptoms, such as:

• Loss of consciousness lasting several minutes or longer.
• Persistent or worsening headaches.
• Seizures or convulsions.
• Slurred speech or difficulty following conversations.
• Weakness in limbs or problems with coordination.
• Agitation, mood swings, or difficulty regulating emotions.
• Clear fluid leaking from the nose or ears, which may indicate a skull fracture.

For example, a person with a severe TBI may struggle with walking or find it challenging to engage in conversation without becoming confused. These symptoms interfere with daily life but may also require long-term medical care. TBIs significantly affect physical, mental, and emotional well-being. 

Who Could Be Liable for Brain Injuries?

Legal responsibility for TBIs often hinges on the circumstances surrounding the injury. Injured victims may hold one or more parties accountable if their negligence or misconduct led to harm. 

Some examples include:

• Property owners who fail to repair unsafe conditions or warn visitors about dangers.
• Drivers who run red lights, speed, or drive under the influence.
• Employers whose lack of safety protocols causes accidents at work.
• Manufacturers of defective products like faulty helmets or airbags.
• Individuals who commit violent acts, including physical assault.

Responsibility isn’t always clear-cut. For example, a car accident could involve a distracted driver, a local government accountable for maintaining the road, or a company that sold a faulty tire. Attorneys assist injured individuals in identifying which parties to seek compensation from and how much compensation you get for a brain injury.

Obtaining Compensation for TBI-Related Losses

Traumatic brain injuries often result in substantial costs that extend beyond immediate medical expenses. Some victims may lose their ability to work, require ongoing therapy, or even need permanent in-home care. Compensation through personal injury claims addresses these economic and non-economic losses.

Compensation in TBI cases typically comprises a combination of economic and non-economic damages aimed at addressing the extensive effects of these injuries. By pursuing a claim, a victim or their family may recover costs and payments for:

• Medical Expenses: Payments may include emergency care, surgeries, doctor visits, medications, and ongoing treatments such as physical therapy, speech therapy, or mental health services. If future procedures or long-term care are anticipated, projected costs are typically included in compensation requests.
• Rehabilitation Therapies: Many TBI survivors require occupational therapy to relearn skills such as dressing or cooking and physical therapy to improve strength and balance. While these costs are substantial, they are essential for regaining independence.
• Lost Wages: Victims often miss work while they recover, resulting in lost income. For some, the injury may even hinder their ability to return to their previous job. Compensation addresses both these immediate losses and the diminished earning potential caused by permanent disabilities.
• Pain and Suffering: These damages represent the physical pain and emotional distress caused by the injury. For instance, chronic headaches, sensitivity to light, or difficulty concentrating significantly affect a person’s quality of life.
• Home Modifications or Medical Devices: A severe TBI may necessitate costly adjustments to a victim’s home or routine, including wheelchair ramps, wider doorways, or equipment like motorized scooters. Families might also need specialized tools or technologies to aid communication or mobility.
• Specialized Care Needs: For individuals with severe cognitive impairments, continuous in-home nursing care or residence in a care facility may be necessary, potentially for the rest of their lives.

Attorneys assess each client’s specific needs to determine their compensation. For example, a person with severe injuries requiring lifelong care would likely seek higher awards than someone recovering from a short-term concussion.

Connect with a Lawyer Who Will Review Your Case

Obtaining compensation for a traumatic brain injury frequently requires navigating intricate legal procedures, including filing claims, investigating liable parties, and negotiating settlement offers. 

A local lawyer will:

• Evaluate whether negligence caused the injury.
• Handle communication with insurance companies or at-fault parties.
• Build a case using evidence like police reports, medical evaluations, and witness statements.
• Fight for a resolution that covers current and future needs.

Traumatic brain injuries affect individuals in significant ways, but qualified attorneys make sure victims aren’t left grappling with these challenges without legal options. 

Your Path to Legal Assistance After a TBI

If you or someone you care about has experienced a traumatic brain injury, TopDog Law Personal Injury Lawyers is here to assist. They work to connect victims with qualified and experienced personal injury attorneys across the nation who evaluate cases. These attorneys focus on helping TBI victims pursue the compensation they deserve. Through a national referral network, TopDog Law simplifies finding the legal support injured individuals need. Begin exploring your options today and take the first step toward justice by calling (888) 778-1197.