March is Brain Injury Awareness Month

March is brain injury awareness month—a good time to take a look at these serious injuries and how they impact the lives of survivors. Everyone is at risk for brain injuries; that means YOU. Here are some things to keep in mind, courtesy of the Brain Injury Association of California:

• Approximately 1.7 million Americans suffer traumatic brain injuries annually.
• A brain injury occurs in the US every 21 seconds.
• Brain injuries account for 52,000 deaths, 275,000 hospital visits and 1,365,000 emergency room visits annually in the US.
• The Center for Disease Control and Prevention estimated the annual cost of brain injury-related expenses to be $76.3 billion in 2010.

Most brain injury victims will have expensive medical bills to pay for the rest of their lives. Many are only able to return to work in a limited capacity, if at all. It is difficult to estimate the costs of all the treatment that is necessary.

“The cost of institutional-based health care services is extraordinarily expensive, but more importantly, people with brain injuries want and have the right to live independently in their communities,” says Cherie Phoenix, Executive Director of Life After Brain Injury in Ventura County, California. “Our state is struggling economically, and with cuts being made to Medi-Cal, there will be increased reliance on community-based services.”

If you suffer a traumatic brain injury, you need to consult with an attorney immediately.

Bonnici Law Group, APC—San Diego personal injury attorney.