Estate Planning

Traumatic Brain Injury

By Hull & Hull LLP

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is defined as sudden damage to the brain, occurring after birth, as a result of an external force (e.g. crash, assault, fall). The effects of TBI are determined by the location and severity of the injury, as well as the age and general health of the individual. Thus, TBI results in a very broad spectrum of disabilities, and may include problems with cognition, communication, sensory processing, behaviour and mental health. Severe TBI can result in a long-term unresponsive state such as coma. [Note: ‘Acquired Brain Injury' is the larger, umbrella term which includes not only TBI, but also brain injury caused by a non-traumatic event such as a stroke or an aneurysm].

TBI statistics are staggering:

... 11,000 people die each year in Canada as a result of a Traumatic Brain Injury (over 4,000 in Ontario alone). Annually, another 6,000 Canadians will become permanently disabled after a TBI.
... Most TBIs in Canada are caused by motor vehicle crashes, sports related injuries, falls and bike accidents. In the United States, firearms rank as the second-leading cause of TBI.
... The age group with the highest rates of TBI are the 15-24 year olds. TBI risk also spikes after the age of 65. TBI is the leading cause of disability among children and is the third most common injury leading to hospitalization in older adults.
... TBI affects men at twice the rate of females. Men are also more likely to suffer severe injuries, and thus incur a higher mortality rate.

TBI prevention has evolved tremendously over the years to address issues such as seatbelt use, driving under the influence, helmet use, pedestrian safety, shaken baby syndrome and elderly falls prevention.
 

Jennifer Hartman, Guest Blogger

Full post as published by Toronto Estate Law Blog on August 24, 2009 (boomark / email).