1.4 Million Traumatic Brain Injuries Occur In the United States Each Year

Written by Adam Peck Category: Brain Injuries February 18th, 2013 3 min read

In an effort to bring greater attention to brain injuries, Rep. Dick Stevenson (R-Mercer/Butler) has secured passage of a House resolution to designate March 2013 as Brain Injury Awareness Month in Pennsylvania.

“In the past few years, there has been greater attention and research directed toward brain injuries, including long-term effects, diagnosis and prevention,” Stevenson said. “However, we still need to keep that momentum strong and do whatever we can to further increase awareness and to support and assist residents suffering from brain injuries.”

Brain injury is the leading cause of disability and death from birth to age 40.

House Resolution 66, which received a unanimous vote in the House on Monday, cites information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that at least 1.4 million traumatic brain injuries occur in the United States each year. Of this estimate, 50,000 cases of injury result in death, 235,000 require hospitalization, and 1.1 million seek emergency room treatment. There are countless more patients who receive other medical care, or no care, or miss the symptoms until it is too late.

In addition to injuries to the brain from trauma, just as much attention is focused on acquired brain injury, which is any brain injury that occurs after birth. Generally speaking, ABIs are thought of according to their cause as either traumatic or non-traumatic. Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) occurs when the brain is injured by any traumatic action, such as an auto accident, fall, striking by or against any object, or an assault. Non-traumatic brain injuries often occur from events such as cerebral vascular accidents, lack of oxygen, ingestion of toxic substances, brain tumors, etc.

“In addition to learning the signs and symptoms of any type of brain injury, we should use this opportunity to find out more about prevention and education,” Stevenson said. “The brain is one of the most complex organs of the body, and as such, brain injuries can often be underdiagnosed or misdiagnosed, and that’s why critical attention must be directed toward brain injuries.”

The resolution also recognizes the leading research centers in Pennsylvania that have devoted countless time and resources to brain injury science, along with the two organizations with a strong focus on brain injury — the Disability Rights Network of Pennsylvania and the Pennsylvania Association of Rehabilitation Facilities.

The PECK LAW GROUP specializes in personal injury matters relating to Serious and Catastrophic Injury, Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect, Medical Malpractice, Surgery Errors, Traumatic Brain Injury, and Wrongful Death that are determined to be a breach of the standard of care. Our experts and our attorneys have superior knowledge and know how in handling these type of matters from inception to Trial if need be. You will receive superior representation and of course the best possible result based upon our know how and expertise.

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Written by Adam Peck

Expertise: Personal Injury

Adam J. Peck, ESQ is a principal with Peck Law Group, APC. In 2008, Mr. Adam Peck received his Juris Doctorate from Whittier Law School where he graduated Cum Laude. His practice is primarily dedicated to representing Elders, Dependent Adults, along with their loved ones and family members, who have suffered horrific personal injuries.