Brain injuries typically occur when there is a bump, jolt, or blow to the head that damages brain tissue. Because brain injuries affect over 2 million people in the United States each year, the Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA) and experienced New York traumatic brain injury attorneys recognize March as Brain Injury Awareness Month, a valuable time to help people understand and protect themselves from brain injuries.
According to the BIAA, 2.4 million U.S. residents suffer a traumatic brain injury (TBI) every year. This number includes 475,000 children. Although about 1.3 million of these injured individuals will be treated in an emergency room and sent home, another 275,000 will require hospitalization for treatment of their injuries, and as many as 52,000 each year suffer a fatal injury. Brain injuries contribute to nearly one-third of all injury-related deaths.
Common causes of brain injuries include:
- Falls, including falls from workplace or playground equipment: 35 percent
- Car accidents: 17 percent
- Workplace accidents: 16 percent
- Assaults: 10 percent.
The costs of treating a TBI can be steep, especially if the injury is severe. The BIAA estimates that inpatient care for an acute brain injury may cost up to $8,000 per day, while inpatient treatment during the rehabilitation period may cost up to $2,500 per day. Even outpatient therapy may cost up to $1,000 per day, according to the BIAA. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that brain injuries cost Americans $76.3 billion each year in medical bills and lost productivity at work.