An Epidemiological Perspective
In recent years, the state of medical knowledge and treatment of traumatic brain injuries (TBI) has developed significantly. Our culture—from football teams to insurance companies and juries charged with determining the nature of these injuries—is only just beginning to catch up. At the Law Office of Scott Herndon, we are committed to educating our clients, juries, and judges on the seriousness of these injuries in the lives of survivors of tragedy.
This webpage is intended as a general overview of recent work in this area. Given that we are a law firm and not medical professionals, we urge you to contact a doctor with specific questions about TBI. We are here to help you assess your legal rights each step of the way.
An excellent 2021 article by Dr. Juliet Krupa (et al) in the Journal of Neurotrauma, “Epidemiology of Chronic Effects of Traumatic Brain Injury,” provides a useful overview on the growing literature of brain injuries, including those suffered by survivors of motor vehicle accidents and sexual assault. This article provides the clearest evidence to date that a subclass of TBI patient suffer from symptoms for years or months after an accident, which can severely impact their quality of life, their ability to work or go to school, or even function in their families.
Krupa estimates at least 64 million people globally suffer from TBIs a year, and that as many 74% of women who recover in emergency rooms or shelters from intimate partner violence have a history of TBIs. This is a striking statistic that should alert us to the breadth of the problem in treating TBIs across the spectrum of injuries that our clients sustain.
Krupa and others explain that the symptoms of TBIs can morph over time, resulting in excitotoxity, apoptosis, inflammation, seizures, white matter pathology, and neurogeneration—which can lead to motor and cognitive deficits over a prolonged period of time, even beyond one year. It is almost impossible to exaggerate the effects of such a year on the life of a parent, a successful businessperson, or a life partner.
Long-term outcomes for adults can include attention difficulties, memory problems, and social deficits such as executive and sexual dysfunction (McDonald et al, Social Cognition Four Years After Mild-TBI (2019). Neuropsychology)
As such, TBI presents a major public health concern, with consequences for individuals, families, and communities. While the immediate impacts of a TBI are often the focus of medical intervention and legal proceedings, it is the chronic effects of these injuries that can have the most profound and long-lasting impact on a person’s life.
Epidemiological data on TBI provides critical insights into the scope and scale of this issue. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 2.8 million TBI-related emergency department visits, hospitalizations, and deaths occur in the United States each year (Taylor, 2017). Of these, over 80% are classified as mild TBIs, commonly referred to as concussions (CDC, 2019).
However, the true burden of TBI extends far beyond the initial injury. Studies have shown that individuals who have sustained a TBI, even a mild one, are at an increased risk of developing a range of chronic health conditions, including:
Cognitive impairments
TBI can lead to long-term deficits in memory, attention, processing speed, and executive function, which can significantly impact a person’s ability to work, maintain relationships, and live independently (Rabinowitz & Levin, 2014; Dikmen et al., 2009).
Psychiatric disorders
TBI is associated with an increased risk of depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other mental health conditions, which can further complicate the recovery process (Huang et al., 2017; Fann et al., 2004).
Neurological disorders
Traumatic brain injuries have been linked to a higher incidence of conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain disease found in individuals with a history of repetitive head injuries (Stein et al., 2015; McKee et al., 2016; Guo et al., 2000).
Chronic pain and physical impairments
TBI can result in ongoing headaches, dizziness, balance issues, and other physical symptoms that can significantly impair a person’s quality of life and ability to participate in daily activities (Coronado et al., 2015; Nampiaparampil, 2008).
This epidemiological data underscores the serious and sometimes long-lasting consequences of TBI, underscoring the importance of early identification, appropriate medical treatment, and comprehensive rehabilitation and support services. For people who have sustained a TBI, whether through an accident, assault, or other traumatic event, understanding the potential chronic effects is crucial in advocating for their rights and accessing the resources they need to maximize their recovery and quality of life.
If you or a loved one has suffered a traumatic brain injury, the Law Office of Scott Herndon is here to provide dedicated legal representation and support. Contact us today to learn more about your rights and how we can assist you in navigating the complex legal and medical landscape associated with TBI.
Further References:
Dikmen, S. S., Machamer, J. E., Winn, H. R., & Temkin, N. R. (2009). Neuropsychological outcome at 1-year post head injury. Neuropsychology, 24(3), 430.
Fann, J. R., Burington, B., Leonetti, A., Jaffe, K., Katon, W. J., & Thompson, R. S. (2004). Psychiatric illness following traumatic brain injury in an adult health maintenance organization population. Archives of general psychiatry, 61(1), 53-61.
Guo, Z., Cupples, L. A., Kurz, A., Auerbach, S. H., Volicer, L., Chui, H., … & Farrer, L. A. (2000). Head injury and the risk of AD in the MIRAGE study. Neurology, 54(6), 1316-1323.
Nampiaparampil, D. E. (2008). Prevalence of chronic pain after traumatic brain injury: a systematic review. Jama, 300(6), 711-719.
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