The Most Common Sports That Lead to Brain Injuries
April 16, 2024
Traumatic brain injuries, whether caused by high-school football or a motor vehicle collision, can lead to long-term and life-altering symptoms. A Santa Ana brain injury attorney from the Law Offices of Benjamin Arsenian is standing by to assist you with your claim. We provide a no-risk, no-cost initial case assessment, and as we’ll discuss, we only get paid if we win. Traumatic brain injuries can forever impact your ability to work, and engage in personal relationships like before the injury.
If you or a loved one has been the victim of a traumatic brain injury in an accident or incident caused by another party, a Santa Ana brain injury attorney from the Law Offices of Benjamin Arsenian can help. When the accident or incident that led to the injury was due to the negligence of another party, you may be eligible to recover significant damages to cover related medical bills and lost wages or earnings potential.
What is a Traumatic Brain Injury?
A traumatic brain injury, often referred to as a TBI, is an injury that impacts the way that your brain works, and the symptoms can be either short-term, or impact the victim for the remainder of their life. The CDC notes that approximately 190 Americans die each day as a result of TBI-related injuries, highlighting the true scope of the problem. TBI-related injuries are one of the leading causes of death and disability in the United States. In 2020 alone, there were some 214,000 hospitalizations linked to TBI-related injuries.
Injuries that impact the way that your brain functions impact you in all areas of life. This includes not only your ability to cognitively function, but as a result your ability to work, and your ability to engage in personal relationships in the same way as before your injury. A Santa Ana brain injury attorney from our firm has the expertise and experience needed to ensure that your accident claim includes the full damages to which you are entitled.
The Causes of a Traumatic Brain Injury
What differentiates a TBI from a cut or superficial wounds to the head or skull is the fact that your brain itself inside your skull is injured. This results in a chemical change in your brain that impacts the way in which it functions, and the symptoms can be temporary or permanent. A traumatic brain injury is caused by the following injuries to the head:
- A bump
- A blow
- A penetrating wound
- A sudden jerking motion that causes the brain to strike the inside of the skull
Some of the most common causes of TBI in the United States are:
- Motor vehicle collisions
- Pedestrian accidents
- Falls, whether same-level slip-and-falls, or falls from heights
- Sports and recreational accidents, as we’ll explore below
When a person suffers from a traumatic brain injury, their ability to cognitively function is affected, which can influence their ability to perform at work, at home, and in educational situations. Traumatic brain injuries can also alter the behavior and personality of an individual in substantial ways following the injury. When there are behavioral changes, the injured person’s ability to work and contribute to their job, and enjoy their personal life, can be permanently impacted. If your quality of life changes, then you may be entitled to damages to cover the decrease in your enjoyment.
Types of Traumatic Brain Injuries
There are three primary types of TBIs, ranging upwards in seriousness, as follows:
- Minor TBIs, often referred to as concussions – a minor TBI is often referred to as a concussion, and generally results from a blow to the head. Concussions are especially common in impact sports such as football, as we’ll discuss below. These types of brain injuries generally go away within a month or two, although can be permanent. Multiple minor TBIs can lead to moderate to severe brain injury in the long-term.
- Moderate TBIs – moderate TBIs include symptoms that are longer-lasting that a concussion, with more substantial changes in cognitive function
- Severe TBIS – symptoms can include a liquid discharge from the ears, difficulty maintaining consciousness, and severe headaches. If you are suffering from symptoms of a severe TBI, it is essential to seek out immediate medical attention as a severe TBI can be fatal and result in permanent and worsening symptoms is not addressed as soon as possible
Watching out for the symptoms of a traumatic brain injury is important following a bump, blow, or other injury to the head.
Symptoms of a Traumatic Brain Injury
A traumatic brain injury impacts the way in which the brain functions, and impacts individuals in a broad variety of ways.
The most common symptoms of a minor traumatic brain injury or concussion include:
- Difficulty concentrating
- Difficulty falling or staying asleep
- Changes in personality including increased irritability
These symptoms can impact the capacity of an individual to work or perform at school. For collegiate athletes, even a minor TBI could lead to missed semesters of school, which can cost tens of thousands of dollars. These types of damages are included in your claim that a Santa Ana brain injury attorney from our firm can process on your behalf.
The Sports Most Likely to Cause a TBI
While sports are an important source of recreation, they are also a leading cause of TBI-related injuries. In fact, in 2019 about 15% of all high-school students in the United States self-reported that they suffered a sports- or recreation-related concussion in the prior 12 months.
- Football
- Hockey
- Lacrosse
- Boxing
Any sport, or even a fall when walking about somewhere, that leads to a bump or blow to the head can result in a TBI.
Discuss Your Claim with a Santa Ana Brain Injury Attorney
To discuss options on your TBI claim, whether due to football, another sport, or a car accident, connect with the Law Offices of Benjamin Arsenian for your free initial consultation.