Connecticut residents might be aware of the fact that brain damage is a major cause of deaths from accidents. There are all kinds of accidents, some more serious than others, but if a victim sustains traumatic brain injury, the outcomes may be devastating. Sometimes, although a victim may survive, such an injury may result in prolonged or permanent disability, making the victim’s life difficult.

In a study where researchers are using an animal model to study long-term consequences of traumatic brain injury, it was found that such injury may result in chronic brain disorders. Progressive brain deterioration is the probable outcome of TBI. However, researchers believe that therapeutic intervention can prevent brain cells from dying even in a chronic stage.

According to the Department of Neurosurgery of the University of South Florida, 1.7 million people suffer from TBI. These injuries are responsible for approximately 52,000 deaths while contributing almost 30 percent of all kind of injury deaths. TBI costs around $52 billion every year in medical treatments.

Consequences of such brain injury may be very dangerous. Inflammation stemming from TBI may cause secondary cell damage that may lead to a chronic neurological disorder. Hence, such a brain injury may be responsible for the death of a patient or permanent physical disability.

In Connecticut, a large number of people suffer from TBI in motor vehicle accidents, slip-and-fall accidents and other unfortunate incidents. On many occasions, it comes out that such accidents happen due to negligence or reckless behavior of others.

People should be careful and diligent while performing an act that may be dangerous to the health and safety of others. Anyone who does not follow this and causes damage to others may be liable to compensate the loss. Victims of brain injury have the right to hold the negligent person liable for personal injury. They can seek compensation for medical treatment costs, physical disability and financial losses. In the case of death, the family of the victim can often file a lawsuit seeking compensation for mental pain and anguish and other damages.

Source: News Medical, “Study investigates prolonged pathological outcomes of traumatic brain injury,” Jan. 7, 2012