Nearly 1.7 million Americans sustain a traumatic brain injury (TBI) each year. There are at least 125,000 people who are considered permanently disabled due to their TBI. The question remains: where do these individuals get the help they need in order to recover and heal?
The answer may be found in the Brain Injury Alliance of Utah (BIAU), which is “the only non-profit organization dedicated exclusively to education and support for the issues of prevention and recovery of brain injury in the state of Utah.” They have been providing information on brain injuries in Utah since 1984. Their expertise has been the saving grace for thousands of individuals in the state of Utah. Their website offers remarkable resources that include explained topics such as: what to expect, basics of brain injury, continuum of care, emotional stages after brain injuries, and facts about brain injury. In addition, the website includes a full medical glossary associated with brain injuries and many listings of local resources that any person who suffered a brain injury could turn to for help. Finally, they also include many tips to prevent brain injuries that should be heeded. Their efforts should be lauded and utilized.
Every person should be aware of brain injuries and how they can adversely affect the lives of loved ones, and by association, themselves. Know that there are resources, like the BIAU, that may be of assistance to those who have suffered brain injuries. A brain injury may be a significant trial in people’s lives, but with the right help and support, the burden of the trial may abate over time.
Only a medical doctor can adequately diagnose a brain injury, but by simply being aware of the symptoms of a brain injury, anyone can recognize the need for medical attention, even if the person who suffered the injury claims to be fine. The symptoms vary depending on the injury but may include: “headache, confusion, lightheadedness, dizziness, blurred vision or tired eyes, ringing in the ears, bad taste in the mouth, fatigue or lethargy, a change in sleep patterns, behavioral or mood changes, and trouble with memory, concentration, attention, or thinking.” If these symptoms surface after an afflicting accident, call a medical doctor immediately.
Franklin’s wise words still ring true: “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”
In the unfortunate event of brain injury caused by someone else’s negligence, a medical doctor and the BIAU are not the only people you will need to call. A personal injury attorney that specializes in brain injuries may need to be called to secure compensation. In fact, caregiver.org states that “the direct and indirect costs of traumatic brain injury in the U. S. have been estimated to be $48.3 billion annually,” and that, the average cost after a four year follow-up individually amounted to $196,460 for those receiving rehabilitation services. The need for an expert tort lawyer becomes apparent when these statistics are internalized.
Know that with the help of a medical doctor, BIAU, and an expert tort lawyer, any victim of another’s negligence may be properly taken care of.