Traumatic Brain Injuries to Children in California: Facts for Parents

Children are active and full of energy, and their enthusiasm for physically demanding activities can often lead to injuries. With serious accidents, your child could even suffer traumatic brain injury (TBI), a violent jolt or blow to the head that affects how the brain functions. This type of trauma occurs frequently among young people according to statistics from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which reports that almost 2,500 children aged birth to 17 years old are killed by TBI annually. Plus, it is estimated that up to 60,000 kids are hospitalized and thousands more receive emergency treatment for TBI.

Any injury to your child is overwhelming, especially when it occurs in an accident caused by negligence. However, TBIs among children are unique because the symptoms vary and could lead to long-term medical complications. Parents have legal options on behalf of their child, so you should discuss potential remedies with an Oakland TBI lawyer. A few facts about head injuries in children may also be informative.

 Common Causes of TBI in Children: Kids may be energetic when playing, but this has little to do with the top reason they suffer head injuries: Motor vehicle accidents. The best way to protect them is to comply with California laws on safety restraints, such as a seatbelt for children 8 years and older and a car seat or booster for younger, smaller kids.

In addition, children of all ages could suffer TBI due to:

• Bicycle, scooter, and hoverboard accidents;
• Incidents involving 4-wheelers, ATVs, and other off-road vehicles;
• Slip and falls at school, on playgrounds, and at parks; and,
• Swimming pool accidents, drownings, and near-drownings.

Note that participating in recreational or competitive sports is also a top cause of TBI in children. Most clubs take precautions by requiring participants to wear safety equipment, such as helmets, pads, and eye protection. However, a disturbing trend has developed in a sport you might not associate with head trauma. Cheerleading has become extremely physical and strenuous, with members of a squad being tossed several feet into the air to perform high-flying acrobatics. They rely on their teammates to catch them, but accidents can lead to tragic consequences.

 Signs of Head Trauma Parents Need to Know: Children may not be able to express or explain their symptoms, so it is up to parents to recognize the signs of TBI. Get medical care right away if you observe:

• Unconsciousness at the time of the accident;
• Memory loss of the incident and time surrounding it;
• Headache;
• Sensitivities to light and sound;
• Being irritable and quick to cry;
• Changes in sleeping patterns; and,
• Emotional and angry outbursts. 

Contact Our Oakland TBI Attorneys to Discuss Legal Options

 For additional details about your remedies, please contact Venardi Zurada, LLP to speak to a member of our team. We can schedule a complimentary case evaluation at our offices in Oakland or Walnut Creek, CA. Once we review your circumstances, a TBI lawyer can advise you on how the legal process works when a child is injured.

Source:

cdc.gov/traumaticbraininjury/pdf/TBI-surveillance-report-2018-2019-508.pdf