This President’s Day, a 58-year-old man from Long Island sustained a fatal blow to the head in a catastrophic accident involving a broken fire escape step in Manhattan. During a routine building inspection, the step came loose and fell seven floors before tragically striking the man in the head while he was walking on the street.
Every year, an estimated 2.5 million people experience a traumatic brain injury and 795,000 sustain an acquired brain injury. Of this population, nearly 50,000 die of unrepairable damages.
NATIONAL BRAIN INJURY AWARENESS MONTH
In honour of the millions of individuals and families affected by the devastating aftermaths of brain injuries, March has been named National Brain Injury Awareness Month. Aiming to educate the public on the prevalence of brain injuries and how to provide support to people in the long stages of recovery, associations across the nation host a variety of events for communities and dedicated supporters like Siler & Ingber to get involved to inspire change.
THE REALITY OF BRAIN INJURIES
Brain injuries are a significant cause of permanent disability and death. In fact, brain injuries make up 30% of all reported injuries across the nation. Injuries to the brain can range from mild to severe, and do not discriminate based on age. Damage to the brain can cause significant challenges in a person’s life, causing difficulties in cognitive, psychological, social, and physical functioning.
The most common causes of brain injury are associated with:
- motor vehicle accidents
- fall accidents
- firearms and physical assaults
- sports-related injuries
- illnesses or degenerative conditions
THE FACES OF BRAIN INJURIES
A serious or minor brain injury can happen to anyone at any time. When victims sustain a brain injury caused by unnecessary or negligent accidents, the recovery process for both the individuals and families can cause a great deal of emotional, physical, and financial turmoil:
- In June of 2017, an NYPD officer from Long Island was in a coma for weeks after a car he approached on the job sped off suddenly, dragging him three blocks . He sustained a severe head injury from the incident that immediately impaired his cognitive abilities and set him up for a long road to recovery.
- This past January, a man was found lying in a gutter with a horrific head injury in what police believe was a hit-and-run. The man suffered a blow to the back of the head which caused two seizures while paramedics transported him to the hospital.
- Just this week, an 8-year-old girl was struck in the head outside her apartment building by a wood plank falling that fell from a fourth-floor construction area. The girl suffered a deep gash requiring staples and a concussion from the forced hit.
In all these instances, the recovery and future abilities of these individuals are to be determined. Head injuries are complicated and unpredictable. Some negative effects of these types of accidents show up immediately, while others can lie dormant for years before rearing their ugly heads.
HOW TO PROVIDE SUPPORT
There are several ways to participate in spreading awareness this March, both on local and national levels:
Blue Jeans for Brain Injury: Blue Jeans for Brain Injury is a public awareness and fundraising campaign that companies and individuals all over the nation can participate in! Pick any day of the month to wear blue jeans, donate funds and share information with your community. Stay tuned for Siler & Ingber’s Blue Jean day to help us spread the word!
Annual Advocacy Day in Albany: The Brain Injury Association of New York State is hosting it’s Annual Advocacy Day on March 20th at the New York State Legislature to bring together survivors, family members, friends, and professionals in speaking out on brain injury legislation. Visit their website to sign up for a spot!
#ChangeYourMind Campaign: This campaign started by the Brain Injury Association of America provides a platform for public education regarding the needs of individuals and families who suffer from brain injuries.
Contact Your Local Chapter: For more information on how to participate or donate locally to National Brain Injury Awareness Month, contact the Long Island Chapter of the Brain Injury Association for local events and campaigns!
Our family at Siler & Ingber has served hundreds of victims suffering from severe and traumatic brain injuries. We have seen first-hand the hardships endured by these life-changing damages and understand how vital support can be during the recovery process. Join us this month in gaining more support for this worthy cause and educating your community on what they can do to help this National Brain Injury Awareness Month!
If you or someone you know has suffered a brain injury due to the negligence of others, contact our winning brain injury lawyers team at 1-877-529-4343.