California Injury Blog
Recently, the news of Ohio State University football player Kosta Karageorge has once again raised the important issue of the link between traumatic brain injuries and mental instability. According to an NBC News report, Karageorge allegedly suffered from debilitating concussions. His autopsy shed some light on what happened to him. But there are thousands more nationwide playing football at various levels: club, varsity, university and professional. It is important that these players understand this important information so they can make informed decisions about care and treatment.
TBI and Concussions
Traumatic brain injury or TBI is defined as a head injury caused by blunt or penetrating trauma to the brain. TBIs have often been associated with war injuries, football players and boxers. Concussions are usually referred to as “mild” injuries although recent research has shown that concussions can have serious and long-term effects on athletes, especially when they are untreated. In fact, a growing body of research shows that repeated concussions can even cause permanent brain damage.
A number of football players have suffered a degenerative disease called chronic traumatic encephalopathy or CTE, which is caused by repeated jolts to the brain. This condition has symptoms ranging from epilepsy and vertigo to personality changes, Parkinson’s disease and dementia. Those who suffer from CTE can spiral into depression and substance abuse. We’ve seen football players like Junior Seau take their own lives as a result of suffering from CTE.
Treatment and Care for TBIs
Athletes are of course not the only victims of TBIs. Brain injuries are commonly caused by car accidents, slip-and-fall accidents and acts of violence. TBI is difficult to treat due to the variety of possible injury patterns and the brain’s complexity. A recent study found an increase of visits to emergency rooms for TBIs by 29 percent over the last four years with the biggest increases coming among toddlers and the elderly.
It could take victims several months or even years to recover from brain injuries. Our legal practice has represented brain injury victims who have never recovered from their injuries. Their lives and personalities change dramatically. Family members go through tremendous emotional and financial pressures as they care for loved ones with brain injuries.
If you or a loved one has suffered a traumatic brain injury as the result of someone else’s negligence or wrongdoing, please contact an experienced California personal injury lawyer who will fight for your rights and ensure that you are fairly and fully compensated for all your injuries, damages and losses.