A brain trauma occurs when an individual’s cognitive function is affected after receiving a severe blow to the head. It may also be caused when an object pierces the skull, or when the brain violently impacts against the skull. Illinois residents may suffer this type of injury in a variety of accidents, including falls, unintentional blows to the head and motor vehicle crashes.
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A personal injury lawyer Chicago may be aware of the data provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This information states that 1.7 million traumatic brain injuries, or TBIs, occur in the United States every year. Car accidents and falls account for more than 50 percent of all diagnosed TBIs. Researchers have recently conducted studies linking this type of head trauma to other neurological diseases, including strokes and dementia.
Strokes
Brain injury and strokes may be linked according to recent studies. Strokes occur when the brain’s blood vessels become blocked or burst, causing cells to die. Symptoms typically affect one side of the body, and they may include the sudden onset of one or more of the following:
- Numbness
- Weakness
- Confusion
- Vision problems
- Headache
Researchers at the University of Michigan Medical School recently conducted a study to discover whether strokes and brain injuries are linked. Results indicate that during the first three months after a head injury, the risk of stroke is 10 times higher. According to the National Institute of Health, stroke affects more than 700,000 individuals in the U.S. each year. It is in the top five leading causes of death in the United States, claiming about 137,000 victims annually. A personal injury lawyer in Chicago may know that this serious neurological disorder is in the top five leading causes of death in the country.
Dementia
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, some research indicates that the risk of dementia increases years after the traumatic brain injury. A history of moderate head traumas raised the risk of dementia in seniors by 2.3 times, and severe TBIs raised the risk 4.5 times. Repeated mild brain trauma may also be linked to a greater risk of dementia. This type of recurrent injury is most commonly associated with sports such as football, boxing and soccer, and often appears after the age of 55.
Individuals who have suffered brain injuries resulting from the negligent or willful acts of others may be entitled to compensation. A personal injury lawyer in Chicago may be able to provide legal assistance to hold all parties responsible. Victims may be reimbursed for medical costs, lost wages, disabilities and pain and suffering that occur as a result of the damage.