California traumatic brain injury statistics

These injuries are more common than you think Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) can lead to temporary or permanent effects, ranging from mild to severe. The consequences of moderate and severe injuries reach into all areas of victims’ and their families’ lives. Like the effects of TBIs, California traumatic brain injury statistics are sobering. If you or someone you love has sustained a TBI because of someone else’s negligence, reach out to a California traumatic brain injury lawyer from Ernst Law Group for help pursuing compensation and connecting with helpful resources.

How many people are affected by traumatic brain injuries?

Adults 55 and older are at higher risk for TBIs, according to the most recent data from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH). Their report shows that, for the estimated 11.2 older adults living in California, TBIs contributed to:

• 2,912 deaths
• 17,528 hospitalizations
• 15,708 emergency room visits

According to the California Department of Rehabilitation (DOR), which serves California’s TBI victims, 1.7 million Americans experience a TBI each year. This results in approximately 235,000 hospital visits, 1.1 million emergency room visits, and 53,000 deaths.

How do traumatic brain injuries happen?

The Brain Injury Association of America (BIAUSA) cites falls, assaults, motor vehicle accidents, sports, and combat as common causes of TBIs. However, any strike, blow, or jolt to the head or body that prompts sudden brain movement can cause a TBI. The BIAUSA explains the three classifications of TBIs: mild, moderate, and severe.

• Mild: Concussions are mild TBIs since they are typically not life-threatening.
• Moderate: TBIs are moderate when victims lose consciousness for up to 24 hours, have signs of injury that appear on neuroimaging, and other signs of brain trauma.
• Severe: This level of  TBI can cause loss of consciousness for over 24 hours, and victims demonstrate significant and persistent symptoms.

What are the effects of moderate or severe brain injuries?

Victims of moderate or severe TBIs experience significant effects immediately or shortly after the injury occurs. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), effects can include physical, cognitive, and emotional consequences, such as:

• Weakness in the limbs
• Problems with vision and hearing
• Problems with balance and coordination
• Difficulty with concentrating, thinking clearly, and learning
• Memory issues
• Trouble communicating
• Nervousness and anxiety
• Personality changes
• Impulsive behavior

CDC statistics show that 57% of TBI victims are “moderately or severely disabled.” Severe TBIs can shut down communication between the brain and body systems, leaving victims unable to breathe or swallow on their own or control physical functions. Additional statistics comparing the experiences of TBI victims to those not injured show victims are:

• 50 times more likely to die of seizures
• 11 times more likely to die from drug poisoning
• 9 times more likely to die from infections
• 6 times more likely to die from pneumonia

What are other long-term effects of traumatic brain injuries?

The medical complications and repercussions of TBIs are clearly extensive. And yet, they are not the only hardships victims endure. More CDC statistics on TBI victims show:

• 55% do not work, though they had been employed at the time of their injury
• 33% depend on others for help with daily tasks
• 29% are dissatisfied with their lives
• 29% misuse drugs or alcohol
• 12% live in nursing homes or other care facilities

It’s easy to see the staggering financial distress TBI victims and their families encounter. Medical treatment and daily caregiving can be expensive and exhausting. Though California has resources to help victims, sometimes, those resources are not enough. Additional complications exist for TBI victims who are younger, poorer, or on Medicaid, according to a study by the University of California San Francisco (UCSF). Dr. Anthony M. DiGiorgio, who led the study, said these TBI victims will continue to see improvement in the years following their injury. However, many “will not be able to regain independence without additional care, from inpatient and outpatient rehab to long-term home health support services.” A California traumatic brain injury lawyer from Ernst Law Group can aid victims in their fight for compensation, giving these and other TBI patients financial access to the medical care they need.

How can a California traumatic brain injury lawyer help?

An experienced California traumatic brain injury lawyer will thoroughly investigate the accident that caused your injury, determining its cause and identifying the at-fault party. Under California law, victims can seek compensation from the party whose negligence caused the accident. Your attorney will collect evidence to prove your claim, assess your losses, and work to negotiate a fair settlement with the at-fault party’s representative. The attorneys at Ernst Law Group are skilled negotiators, but we are also powerful litigators. If the at-fault party does not make a fair offer, we are fully prepared to take them on in court and fight for the compensation you need.

We fight for you.

Ernst Law Group is committed to fighting for justice for TBI victims, and our team’s compassionate California brain injury lawyer is ready to fight for you. Please call (805) 541-0300 to arrange a free case consultation.