Brain Injury and Safety
By Harrison J. Gordon, Attorney at Law
In association with Brain Injury Awareness Month, the following
statistics and safety tips are being offered:
Vehicle crashes are the second leading cause of brain injury
(falls are the number-one cause). Additionally, motor vehicle
crashes are a primary cause of death for 15 to 20 years olds. Young
people frequently have a tendency toward a self perception of
invincibility, which may contribute to the high percentage of
youthful drivers who sustain brain injuries in automobile crashes.
Research demonstrates that brain and chest injuries are the most
frequent cause of death in collisions wherein the individual was not
wearing a seatbelt. Seatbelts can be extremely effective in
preventing traumatic and fatal brain injuries. Therefore, it is
absolutely imperative to one’s safety and well being that all
drivers and passengers in motor vehicles wear a seatbelt as soon as
they enter a vehicle.
• Brain injury is one of the top diagnoses in emergency
departments for playground-related injuries. Most injuries occur on
the swings, monkey bars or climbers, and slides.
• The most common brain injury sustained in sports is a
concussion. According to a study released by the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (2001), there are an estimated 300,000
sports-related concussions in the United States each year. Frequent
blows to the head cause most professional boxers to sustain a brain
injury. Additionally, soccer players can sustain brain injuries as a
result of head-to-head contact, falls, or being struck on the head
by the ball. Football injuries associated with the brain also occur
frequently. A helmet helps prevent a brain injury from occurring and
should be worn by football players at all times.
• Each year, about 350,000 children under 15 sustain
bicycle-related injuries. Of those children, about 130,000 sustain
brain injuries. Between 70 and 80 percent of all fatal bicycle
crashes involve brain injuries. Once again, it is imperative that
all children wear a properly fitting helmet in order to reduce the
chances of sustaining a head injury during a fall. An adult should
check and adjust the child’s helmet if needed prior to each bicycle
outing.
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