Traumatic head injuries can have consequences that last a lifetime. Over time, cumulative head injuries can create lingering conditions that eventually result in major cognitive disorders. For instance, medical researchers are just now beginning to uncover the link between major concussion events and Parkinson’s disease.
In some instances the resulting damages can be recovered by a Winston-Salem personal injury attorney, but not every injury can be traced to someone else’s liability. Read about preventing head injuries and how a qualified personal injury attorney can help if you suffer this sort of tragic incident.
Preventing Head Injuries
Everyone should maintain awareness of the dangers of concussions at all times. Head injuries are a major cause of emergency department visits, according to the CDC, with the majority of victims in the 0-4 year-old cohort and the 15-24 year old cohort.
Always Wear a Helmet When Cycling or Using Alternative Transportation
According to a study conducted by the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, cycling presents the biggest risk for head injuries compared to any other sport or recreational hobby. 75 percent of all fatal bicycling accidents in NYC involve head injuries, and cycling accounted for nearly double the amount of head injuries seen in other sports such as football.
To reduce this risk, everyone riding a bicycle, skateboard, inline skates and other popular forms of recreational or alternative transportation should always wear a helmet. This precaution should be emphasized when operating the device on a public road as well as on the rider’s own property or at a designated facility.
Use Precautions When Engaging in Concussion-Prone Sports
Thankfully, the public and the medical community have both begun to engage in conversations about the risks of concussions in sports. At the same time, people fail to recognize what a pervasive problem sports-related traumatic head injuries are. They are not just relegated to football players in the NFL or high school, for example. Major League Baseball players risk concussions, too, as do youth baseball players.
Parents looking after their children and adults looking after themselves should therefore abide by tips such as these to reduce their risk of sports-related traumatic head injuries:
- Always wear proper protective equipment, especially helmets and shoulder pads
- Abide by safety rules, and ensure that officiants are enforcing them
- Minimize contact force in practice; always exercise control and avoid aggression
- Halt playing time when any participants appear to be unnecessarily increasing the risk of concussions
- Investigate practice policies, and encourage limited full-contact practice days
- Report every potential traumatic head injury to medical professionals, organizing personnel and parents
- Consider the relative risk of certain sports; for instance, boxing carries a relatively higher risk of concussions
Reduce Risk During Recreation and Play
Parents cannot prevent every fall from happening, but halting risky behavior and responding quickly to incidents can reduce the risk of permanent injury. Try to maintain soft surfaces in children’s play areas, and have conversations about risky recreational habits with teens and adult peers.
Use Proper Restraints in Vehicles
Vehicle accidents are a leading cause of traumatic head injuries, especially when victims were not properly secured. Use safety equipment as advised. For example, all children up to two years old should be riding rear-facing child seats.
Treat Every Potential Traumatic Head Injury Seriously
The absolute best treatment for a possible traumatic head injury is rest, along with ample fluids and a healthy diet. Subsequent impacts can have an even more adverse affect on health than the first one. Allow 7-10 days of rest for any incident, and have a medical professional investigate its possible health effects immediately.
Recovering Medical Expenses After a Traumatic Head Injury
Many traumatic head injuries involve circumstances where another party could potentially be held liable for the subsequent medical expenses and lasting health effects. Most commonly, auto accidents leading to traumatic head injuries have a consistent history of recovering damages.
Consult with a Winston-Salem personal injury attorney to increase your chances of having your traumatic head injury claim honored. You can call toll free or fill out our form for a free case evaluation and to get your claim started today.
