Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) represent one of the most devastating injuries that an individual can suffer, resulting in permanent impairment and death. When TBIs involve children, they are especially tragic. A 2020 research study revealed that pediatric TBIs (including teenagers) in the United States are most often associated with common consumer products and everyday activities.
A TBI is a brain injury typically caused by a blow or jolt to the head, although sometimes the body may sustain the impact. While a mild TBI can impact a person’s brain cells for a short time, a more serious TBI can cause bruising, bleeding, and other damage that can result in chronic health problems and death.
Symptoms may manifest immediately after the traumatic event but may not appear for weeks or months. Symptoms may include headaches, nausea, seizures, loss of consciousness, or slurred speech. Children may exhibit different symptoms when a victim of a TBI, including a change in eating, nursing, or sleeping habits, irritability, depression, drowsiness, and apathy. Children who have sustained a blow to the head should always be examined by a healthcare professional.
Children with nonfatal TBIs often suffer neurological problems that can impact memory and cognitive performance. They may also develop emotional and behavioral problems that can interfere with social function and relationships, meaning that TBIs also affect the child’s family. In some cases, children with brain injuries require daily care for the duration of their lives.
Common Objects Most Often Connected to TBIs in Children
Nonfatal traumatic brain injuries in children and teenagers are most often attributed to:
- Hard floors
- Beds, tables, doorframes, and chairs
- Playing football or soccer
- Injuries on stairs
- Bicycle injuries
- Basketball injuries
- Collisions with ceilings and walls
- Accidents of playground equipment, including monkey bars and swings
- Skateboard injuries
- Baby strollers
- Baby changing tables and high chairs
- Grocery and shopping cart injuries
When dangerous and defective products cause TBIs, the manufacturers who make, market, and sell these products can be held liable.
Statistics Related to Childhood TBIs
Children and teenagers represent approximately 2 million nonfatal TBI-related accidents annually. TBIs caused by beds were the highest among infants and children under four years of age. However, TBIs caused by biking and football were more common in older children and teenagers. Other statistics
- TBIs cause approximately one-third of all injury deaths, ten percent of injury-related emergency department visits, and twenty percent of hospitalizations.
- Nonfatal TBIs in children are most often caused by falls, car accidents, collisions with a moving or stationary object, and assaults.
- Non-fatal TBIs in children result in approximately $8 billion in medical and wage loss costs.
Steps to Prevent Traumatic Brain Injuries in Children
Experts suggest the following strategies for parents and caregivers to prevent TBIs:
- Eliminate potential tripping hazards such as area rugs
- Install brighter illumination
- Avoid playgrounds with hard surfaces and instead choose playgrounds with wood chip, sand, foam or mulch surfaces
- Strictly follow and enforce playground safety rules
- Install safety devices such as stair gates and guardrails
- Require the use of helmets and safety gear when riding bikes or playing sports
- Supervise children when playing sports
- Always utilize properly installed car and booster seats when young
- Enforce seat belt use for older children and teens.
Get the Help You Need
If someone you love has been injured, you may be eligible for compensation. Call Probinsky & Cole today to discuss the merits of your case and to learn more about your right to receive a settlement or judgment against the liable party. We provide skilled expertise in the area of personal injury for clients in Sarasota, Tampa, and Orlando.
