Annual events raise awareness about traumatic brain injuries in Connecticut

May 21, 2013

Annual events raise awareness about traumatic brain injuries in Connecticut

With the arrival of spring, the Brain Injury Alliance of Connecticut (BIAC) - a non-profit organization advocating education about the effects of traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and dedicated to helping those who are suffering - gears up for annual public events. The BIAC uses events like their "Tour of Lights Bike-A-Thon" and annual golf tournament as platforms to both raise money and awareness about the myriad ways that a TBI will touch a victim's life.

The BIAC also functions as a liaison between those suffering and much-needed medical, legal, financial and support resources. An important part of what the BIAC does is aimed at education about potential causes of, symptoms of and treatments for TBI.

Causes

Many people assume that a traumatic brain injury can only be suffered in a catastrophic car accident or a fall down several flights of stairs. While TBIs can be inflicted in violent ways, it is a misconception to think that they cannot happen to a person in more mundane circumstances. For example, a TBI can result from a fall out of bed, banging one's head into a cabinet or countertop at just the "right" angle, taking an elbow to the head in a friendly basketball game, being caught by a wayward baseball pitch, and many other innocuous ways.

Effects

In recent years, much attention has been called to the short- and long-term effects of TBIs on professional football players, thrusting the issue of TBIs into the spotlight. Many former players have developed brain disorders and suffered brain damage as a result of cumulative trauma from contact on the gridiron. There is currently a legal action brought by thousands of current and former players against the National Football League, which has also brought an unprecedented amount attention to the issue of TBIs.

In the short term, brain injuries can manifest in several different ways, including:
-Loss of consciousness
-Headache
-"Sensory" abnormalities (like ringing in the ears, a bad taste in the mouth, blurred vision or slurred speech)
-External bruising/lacerations indicating trauma
-Nausea and/or vomiting
-Sensitivity to light
-Dizziness
-Extreme fatigue
-Mood swings

Many of these symptoms will resolve after medical treatment and sufficient rest, but suffering one brain injury will put a victim at risk for more severe symptoms should another one happen in the future.

There is still much to be discovered about the long-term medical effects of TBI, but known possible long-term symptoms include:
-Personality changes (like a once-timid person now being extroverted, or a calm person becoming aggressive)
-Higher chance of being diagnosed with degenerative brain disorders like Alzheimer's or dementia
-Memory problems/forgetfulness (both short-term and long-term memory)

Have you or a loved one suffered a TBI due to the fault of another person or business? Do you have questions about paying for medical expenses or possibly bringing a claim? An experienced personal injury attorney in your area can provide more information about your legal rights and options to hold the responsible party or parties accountable.

Article provided by Brian J. Mongelluzzo
Visit us at www.bjmlaw.com