World Health Day is coming up on April 7th this year. At the Cardone Law Firm, we believe it is the perfect time to educate people about TBIs (traumatic brain injuries) as more and more people head outside to enjoy the warmer weather and participate in spring sports.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 2.8 million cases of TBIs are reported each year. This statistic is even more worrisome when you consider how many of that number are children. According to the CDC, the number of sports- and recreation-related injuries involving a TBI more than doubled from 2001 to 2012 among children ages 0-19.
If you or a loved one has been affected by a TBI, rest assured you don’t have to recover from it alone. The TBI lawyers at the Cardone Law Firm have the experience and resources to help you determine whether you are entitled to compensation for your injury. New Orleans lawyers Cliff Cardone of the Cardone Law Firm know that being the victim of a TBI causes severe stress as you deal with immediate pain, begin recovery, and look ahead at potential long-term consequences.
To ease some of that burden, we provide free initial consultations, and we don’t charge a fee unless you win your case. Call us today at 504-522-3333 and find out how passionate legal care can help you.
Tips for Protecting Children Against TBIs
As a welcome break from the dark, cold days of winter, spring sees an influx of people enjoying the outdoors. Spring sports are especially popular among children, and they are usually a healthy, enjoyable way to welcome the new season.
But sports also bring the risk of injury and no injury can be quite as life-altering as a traumatic brain injury (TBI). As Louisiana personal injury lawyers who have seen the rise of TBIs first-hand, we want to take a moment to share some tips so that you can protect your children and other loved ones from TBIs:
- Always Wear a Helmet: To reduce the risk of a TBI, the best protection is having your children wear a helmet. Wearing a helmet can greatly reduce the potential of serious injury if they fall, especially when children are riding bikes, skateboards, or participating in high impact sports. Make sure the helmet fits snugly and is not worn too high off the forehead or too loose under the chin. A proper fit ensures proper function. High-quality helmets are more affordable than ever, so make sure you invest in this essential equipment for protecting your children from TBI. Activities that require helmets include:
- Riding bikes, skateboards, in-line skates, and horses
- Skiing, snowmobiling, and snowboarding
- Contact sports like football, hockey, and baseball
- Use a Car Seat: Young children are especially vulnerable to TBIs in car accidents for a number of reasons. Because they are smaller and lighter than adults, children can be more easily thrown around from the impact of a collision. Their skulls are also softer than adults’ skulls because their brains are still growing, so it is crucial to protect their heads during this vulnerable stage. The guidelines for car seats are categorized according to children’s ages, but it is best to also calculate your child’s weight and height for maximum protection. According to the CDC, the most current car seat guidelines include:
- For children ages 2 and younger, rear-facing car seats are recommended.
- For children ages 2-5, forward-facing car seats are appropriate.
- For children ages 5-9, booster seats are advisable.
- Seat belts alone are appropriate once they fit properly, meaning the upper strap crosses the chest, not the neck, and the lap belt crosses the upper thighs, and not the stomach.
Signs of a TBI
Despite your best efforts, accidents can happen. Knowing the signs of a TBI can help you seek immediate treatment to give your loved one the best chance of full recovery. Symptoms of a TBI include the following:
- Loss of consciousness
- Uneven pupil size (one is dilated more than the other)
- Slurred speech
- Nausea or vomiting
- Numbness or weakness
- Painful headache that does not go away
If you notice any of these symptoms, seek medical attention for your loved one right away so that they can be properly diagnosed and treated.
If you or a loved one has suffered from a TBI, contact the Louisiana personal injury lawyer Cliff Cardone of the Cardone Law Firm at (504) 522-3333 for your free legal consultation today.
At the Cardone Law Firm, we are dedicated to providing the best legal representation for all of our clients. For over 40 years, we have been looking out for our clients’ interests and achieving successful outcomes for their cases.