March dedicated to helping those who suffer with brain injuries

Throughout the calendar year, certain months are designated to bring awareness to a wide range of both social and health-related issues. For the past three decades, March has been designated as Brain Injury Awareness Month. The point of these campaigns is to draw attention to the difficulties that victims of brain injuries encounter in everyday life. There are countless California families who have been impacted by these often devastating injuries.

According to the Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA), a brain injury occurs every nine seconds. An estimated 137 people die every day due to a traumatic brain injury. The current campaign is called “Change Your Mind” and is geared toward eliminating the stigma of brain injuries, highlighting the needs of both victims and caregivers, while also helping to empower victims and their families by promoting the different types of support that are available to those who need them.

It is estimated that anywhere from 3.2 and 5.3 million Americans are living with a traumatic brain injury, though that number is likely much higher since some victims, such as professional athletes, never seek treatment. The most likely victims are children and older adults. Though there are many causes of these types of serious injuries, many of these often irreversible injuries are the result of a car accident or sporting activities.

The effects of brain injuries can be wide-ranging, and victims come from all backgrounds.  There are multiple agencies that work to improve the lives of both caregivers and victims, but the damages victims suffer may be life-long. California families who are coping with a serious brain injury that can be attributed to the negligence of another party may pursue recovery of their monetary damages through the state’s civil courts. While such litigation cannot heal these injuries, a successful case may allow victims and their families to obtain compensation that can help ensure that their medical needs are provided for in the future.