The Effect of Traumatic Brain Injuries in Children

As we have discussed previously on this blog, traumatic brain injuries, or TBIs, can greatly impact the quality of a person’s life. This is even more apparent when the person suffering from a TBI is a child. The most common ages for children to incur such injuries are prior to age 4 or between ages 15 and 19, and while people at such young ages have a remarkable capacity to bounce back from even the worst injuries, TBIs can result in permanent, life-altering injuries that can affect every aspect of a child’s or teen’s life.

Causes of TBIs

While most TBIs occur as a result of auto accidents, any sudden impact can cause injury, including sports injuries, falls, and abuse. Nearly 62,000 traumatic brain injuries require hospitalization each year. Another 564,000 children are treated and released from emergency rooms and approximately 13,000 children suffer severe or fatal TBIs each year.

Signs of TBIs

The signs of TBIs can be subtle, especially in young children. Parents or caregivers who are aware of a possible injury should keep a close eye on the child and always err on the side of caution. Seek the advice and expertise of a medical professional if you believe your child has been injured. Common signs of TBIs include:

• Physical impairments: Slurred speech, blurry vision, muffled hearing, headaches, spastic muscles, fatigue, and balance issues
• Cognitive impairments: Short term memory deficits, impaired concentration, limited attention span, impairment of perception, and slowness of thinking
• Emotional impairments: Mood swings, denial, anxiety, depression, restlessness, and difficulty controlling emotions.

Severity of Injuries Early in Children

Traumatic brain injuries in children can be much more serious than in adults for a number of reasons. Sadly, one reason is because oftentimes TBIs in children are not immediately recognized. Any parent can tell you that recognizing mood swings in a toddler or anxiety in a teenager is a tall order. This is why is it important to seek the advice of a medical professional if injury is even suspected.

Since children’s brains are still developing, medical authorities believe that kids who incur TBIs may suffer more than previously suspected. The full extent of the injuries may never be known or may present much later in life. Children who suffer injuries affecting cognitive skills or emotional processing may not truly learn the impact of their injuries until they reach adulthood.

If you have a child who has suffered injuries due to the negligence of another, it is possible to seek financial compensation. This compensation could help provide for not only immediate and past medical costs, but also provide for the future medical care of your child. The cost of ongoing medical care can be potentially astronomical for a family to cover on their own.

Atlanta Based Attorneys Working For You

Damages from traumatic brain injuries can be hard to show and injuries often do not manifest themselves until far into the future. If you have experienced a traumatic brain injury from an accident or someone else’s negligence, you should consult with the attorneys at Cash, Krugler & Fredericks in Atlanta, GA. Our personal injury attorneys have years of experience in handling personal injury claims involving traumatic brain injuries. Do not risk a possible recovery by waiting. Contact our firm today online or via phone to schedule your initial consultation. We are always here to help.

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