Traumatic brain injury, referred to commonly as “TBI”, is a major cause of death and disability in the United States. Sadly, our children are the most vulnerable. Statistics show that almost half a million children are treated in US Emergency departments each year for TBI’s. That’s more than 5,000 large school buses filled to capacity.
Common symptoms of brain injury include:
Physical symptoms
Cognitive or mental symptoms
Profound confusion
Agitation, combativeness or other unusual behavior
Slurred speech
Coma and other disorders of consciousness
Symptoms in Children too young to communicate their symptoms:
Change in eating or nursing habits
Persistent crying and inability to be consoled
Unusual or easy irritability
Change in ability to pay attention
Change in sleep habits
Sad or depressed mood
- Loss of interest in favorite toys or activities
While the symptoms of a brain injury in children are similar to the symptoms experienced by adults, the functional impact can be very different. The brain of a child is continuing to develop. The cognitive impairments of children may not be immediately obvious after the injury but may become apparent as the child gets older and faces increased cognitive and social expectations for new learning.
There are many ways to reduce the risk of TBI, including:
Buckling your child in the car using a child safety seat, booster seat, or seat belt (according to the child's height, weight, and age).
Wearing a helmet and making sure your children always wear helmets when riding a bike, scooter, snowmobile, or all-terrain vehicle; Playing a contact sport, such as football, ice hockey, or boxing; Using in-line skates or riding a skateboard; Batting and running bases in baseball or softball; Riding a horse; or Skiing or snowboarding.
Making living areas safer for children, by installing window guards to keep young children from falling out of open windows; and Using safety gates at the top and bottom of stairs when young children are around.
Making sure the surface on your child's playground is made of shock-absorbing material, such as hardwood mulch or sand
Our attorneys at The Gilbert Law Group® are dedicated to helping those who have suffered a traumatic brain injury recover the compensation and justice they deserve. If your child has suffered a brain injury, call the experienced Denver brain injury attorneys at (303) 431-1111 today for your consultation.
It may also be helpful to visit: CDC Guide to Tramatic Brain Injury
