A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is the result of sudden physical damage to the brain, with severity ranging from “minor” to “severe.” A spinal cord injury (SCI) is damage or trauma to the spinal cord. A spinal injury can result in impairment or loss of function, mobility, or feeling.
A brain injury can occur when the brain is violently shaken, such as in an accident that results in whiplash. It can also occur as a result of any force that strikes, penetrates, or fractures the skull. A spinal injury can occur from a fall or collision, among other causes. It is not necessary for the spine to be severed for loss of functioning to occur.
Brain injuries include: • Concussion: caused by a blow to the head, whiplash, or violent shaking. • Contusion: caused by a direct impact leading to bleeding on the brain. • Diffuse Axonal: caused by shaking or a strong rotation of the head. • Penetration: caused by the impact of a bullet, knife, or other object.
Spinal injuries can occur anywhere along the spinal cord and include: • Complete injury, whereby there is no function below the level of injury, including sensation and movement. Both sides of the body are equally affected. • Incomplete injury, whereby there is some function below the level of the injury, such as movement in one limb, feeling in certain parts of the body, or more function on one side of the body than the other.
Brain injuries are considered the most likely accident to result in death or permanent disability. Brain injury affects 500 out of 100,000 individuals yearly, with approximately 450 people suffering a brain injury every day. This accounts for one person being affected by a brain injury every three minutes. More than 11,000 Canadians die each year as a result of a traumatic brain injury.
There are approximately 86,000 people living with a spinal cord injury in Canada, with an estimated 4,300 new cases of injury yearly. Approximately 51% of cases are the result of traumatic injury, that is, an accident instead of a disease. One in three Canadians will be disabled for three or more months before the age of 65. Individuals with a spinal cord injury are expected to live 15-30 fewer years than the average Canadian.
Injuries impact how a person thinks, acts, and feels. It is important to remember this type of injury is complex and varies from person to person. Living with an injury is difficult for both the person affected by the injury and the loved ones who care for the injured. Patience is a significant contributing factor to recovery and caring for someone with an injury.
After an injury, it is important to seek the assistance of a lawyer. It is possible the accident was caused by criminal action or negligence, and it is important to investigate if you are legally entitled to compensation. Finding a lawyer that is both knowledgeable and experienced is key.
Barry Edson has successfully represented the general Toronto area for over 30 years. Trusted by local clients, he has acted as counsel on thousands of personal injury, fatal accident, and disability claims. In the course of recovering millions of dollars in settlements, judgments, and disability payments for his clients, he has also established many important legal precedents. Your initial consultation with Barry Edson is always free and there is no pressure of further obligation.
Website: http://edsonlegal.com/ Phone: 1-855-702-3119
http://nbia.ca/brain-injury-statistics/ http://sci-can.ca/resources/sci-facts/ http://www.vancouversun.com/health/Facts+spinal+cord+injuries+Canada/6607169/story.html