Children play hard, and it is impossible for parents to prevent the injuries that are likely to occur as a result of their rough-and-tumble behavior. While many of these may be minor bumps, bruises, or scratches, it is important to be alert for the signs of something more serious.
Traumatic brain injury is one of the leading causes of disability and death in infants and children. Falls are the predominant cause of injury for toddlers. School-aged children experience a rise in traumatic brain injuries caused by bicycle injuries, and adolescents experience traumatic brain injuries caused by motor vehicle wrecks, sports injuries, and assaults.
If your child has suffered a brain injury, find out what legal recourse you may have. At Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp, we represent traumatic brain injury victims on a contingency-fee basis, meaning you won’t pay any legal fees unless we win your case.
Contact us today at 833-997-1774 for a free consultation.
What Are Common Causes of Brain Injuries Among Children?
According to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), injuries to the head and brain are one of the most common causes of death and disability in the U.S., and children are among those most at risk. More than 350,000 suffer some type of traumatic brain injury (TBI) each year. Among the leading causes include:
- Slips, trips, and falls on sidewalks and in playgrounds or public parks
- Sports-related injuries caused by being struck by equipment or by interactions with other players
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Pedestrian and bicycle injuries
- Acts of violence and altercations with other children
Even a seemingly minor bump, blow, or jolt to the head can end up resulting in serious brain injuries, with symptoms that may take days, weeks, or even months to appear.
What Are the Signs of Brain Injury in Children?
If your child suffers any suspected head injury, it is important to seek medical care immediately. Not doing so could cause serious complications, including death and the potential for lasting disabilities. Signs of brain injury can be subtle, particularly in children. Symptoms to be alert for include the following:
- Loss of consciousness, even for only a few seconds
- Inability to remember details surrounding their accident or the moments leading up to it
- Difficulty speaking or understanding what is being said
- Excessive fatigue and drowsiness
- Lack of coordination and inability to walk steadily or perform other movements
- Blurred vision or ringing in the ears
- Sensitivity to light and loud noises
- Increased anxiety and agitation
- Mood-related disorders, such as depression, fits of anger, or rage
Increased isolation and withdrawal from friends or family activities is another common sign that can occur as the result of a brain injury. Unfortunately, these types of injuries in children can end up having lingering impacts on learning and development, while any subsequent head injuries can end up causing permanent brain damage.
What Are the Differences Between Primary Brain Injury and Secondary Brain Injury?
Trauma often results in a direct injury to the brain in the form of intracranial hemorrhages and contusions. Clinical symptoms due to these injuries are often related to the injury’s severity and location. These are called primary brain injuries and are immediate consequences of the force of the trauma.
Secondary brain injuries develop minutes to weeks after the primary injury. They occur in two forms. The first is related to numerous physiological and metabolic alterations, including hypoxia and elevated intracranial pressure. This form of brain injury is potentially avoidable and responsive to treatment. The other form of secondary brain injury includes numerous cellular events that occur in the minutes following the initial trauma and extend into the following weeks, leading to cell degeneration and, ultimately, cell death.
Although research is ongoing for treatment of these types of secondary brain injury, there is no treatment available currently for this type of injury. Initial treatment of patients with a traumatic brain injury often focuses on the detection of a primary injury and the prevention or treatment of secondary brain injury. It is important that if one suspects that a child has suffered a traumatic brain injury, that appropriate medical evaluation and treatment are provided.
Contact Our Traumatic Brain Injury Law Firm Today
If your child has been diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury, it’s essential to seek legal help. At Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp, our brain injury attorneys have been representing clients in traumatic brain injury cases for decades, helping them recover the compensation they deserve. We handle cases on a contingency-fee basis, so you won’t pay any legal fees unless we win your case.
Call us today at 833-997-1774 to schedule a free consultation with a traumatic brain injury lawyer, and let us help you get the care and compensation you need.