Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) can be devastating and have long-term consequences, and due to advances in medical scanning/imaging techniques and increased awareness of the risks of contact sports, we are learning that this is especially true for some children who suffer a TBI or concussion, or even more than one, in their early years.
It is not uncommon for the effects of a TBI from childhood to arise later on, such as in the teenage years, and we are learning more and more that such damage and its effects are not new, but only newly-revealed. Because children’s brains are still developing for many years to come, some effects of an earlier TBI or concussion may not manifest until the child is older and in more advanced stages of brain-development. Damage to the frontal lobe, for example, may not become apparent until years later when the child encounters more challenging academic coursework or relates to peers in more emotionally-mature ways.
A child’s prognosis for a TBI often depends on how effective his/her initial diagnostic treatment was when the injury was sustained, which is why it is essential that any child who has suffered any kind of head injury in an accident or sporting event should receive a full medical evaluation as soon as possible. Any potential damage to the brain which is left unidentified and unaddressed can result in significant problems later in life, ranging from problems with impulse-control, regulating emotions, and focusing on tasks to serious psychological or cognitive debilitations.
To help protect children from the risks of head injuries, the Brain Injury Association of America offers some tips:
- Make sure your children always wear a seatbelt when riding in a vehicle.
- Always use the age-appropriate safety seat, booster seat, or seatbelt based on their age, height, and weight.
- In contact sports, such as football, make sure your children have properly-fitting helmets, wear all necessary protective equipment, and are properly supervised at all times.
- Avoid playground surfaces which are not made of shock-absorbing materials like sand or hardwood mulch.
- Make your house safer for children by keeping stairs and hallways free of clutter, installing window-guards if necessary, and maintaining supervision to ensure that they can’t put themselves in danger.
If you or a loved one has suffered a concussion or traumatic brain injury due to negligence, contact America’s Consumer Lawyer for a free consultation. We are a Chicago-based injury law firm representing individuals (and their families) who have suffered an injury in an accident. We will handle your case quickly and advise you every step of the way, and we will not hesitate to go to trial for you.
Lastly, America’s Consumer Lawyer is not paid attorneys’ fees unless we win your case. Our no-fee promise is that simple. You have nothing to risk when you hire us – only the opportunity to seek justice.
