Who is Most at Risk of a Traumatic Brain Injury?
Although anyone can suffer a brain injury, certain groups are more susceptible given their age and lifestyle. Traumatic brain injuries are significant injuries which can impair a person’s ability to handle the tasks of daily living, including preparing food or bathing. Call Snyder Heitman, LLC, to talk with an experienced lawyer about your TBI and the accident which caused it. We have decades of combined experience bringing injury claims for compensation.
Who is At Risk & Why
Some of the most vulnerable groups include:
- Toddlers
Children up to 4 years of age have high rates of TBI injuries. Often, they are hurt because they cannot appreciate risk or danger. For example, a young child might fall from playground equipment, bumping their head. Children also have developing brains which are vulnerable to the types of disruptions caused by TBIs.
Unfortunately, young children cannot easily express themselves, so you might not immediately know something is wrong. Instead, your child might start acting differently or stop talking, which are signs of an injury.
- Teenagers
Adolescents are also a prime category of people who suffer TBIs. Teens often engage in risky activity or they get into fights. A fistfight can lead to a TBI when a person is struck in the head, or if they fall backwards.
- Elderly
Those aged 65 and older can suffer TBIs at a higher rate than younger adults. This is one of the most vulnerable groups because any brain injury is difficult for them to overcome. Indeed, statistics show that the elderly are more likely to be hospitalized after suffering a traumatic brain injury.
The elderly often suffer a TBI when they fall, usually because of decreased balance. Other senior citizens pass out due to low blood pressure, or their bones break and cause them to fall. Brain atrophy is also a problem which can lead to balance issues.
The elderly might not stage a quick recovery from a TBI. Instead, some impairments involving behavior or speech could be permanent.
Men
Across all age groups men are more at risk for a TBI compared to women. There are some common reasons:
- Greater participation in contact sports, such as football or wrestling.
- Higher participation in dangerous jobs, including construction or electrical work which can lead to injuries.
- High rates of enrollment in the military, where TBIs are common injuries.
- Greater risk-taking, including speeding while driving or engaging in dangerous maneuvers.
- More interpersonal violence.
Men vary widely in terms of recovery based on many factors, such as age and income. A younger man is more likely to recover from an accident, whereas older men and those without health care can struggle.
Contact Our Law Firm
If you suffered a TBI in an accident, we might be able to help. By scheduling a consultation with a Greenville traumatic brain injury lawyer, you can discuss the details of your accident and get answers to any questions. We have obtained fair settlements for many clients hurt in a variety of accidents, including slip and falls. Our firm assists those in Greenville, Spartanburg and Upstate South Carolina.
Source:
cdc.gov/traumatic-brain-injury/data-research/index.html