Do You Know How Damaging a Brain Injury Can Be?

Lakewood, Colorado Personal Injury Lawyer Serving Denver, Boulder, and Nearby Areas

Posted: March 5, 2018

Many people in Colorado choose to ski or snowboard — it’s part of the culture within the state. And while this may be the case, some are worried that there is not enough awareness surrounding safety and the potential damage that a brain injury can cause.

Snow sports are not the only way a person can acquire a brain injury. Many people receive them from car accidents, falls and any other activity that has a risk for sudden deceleration. It doesn’t take much for a brain injury to occur, just the collision of a person’s brain with the inside of her or his skull. A recently released study looked at head injuries acquired through snow sports in children and adolescents.

According to the study’s figures, approximately 78,000 children and adolescents sought and received medical attention in emergency rooms across the nation between 1996 and 2010. The report indicated that adolescents, individuals between the ages of 13 and 17, were more likely to require such a visit than younger children. This could be for a number of reasons. Researchers believe that adolescents have more freedom than children so are more likely to try out risky behaviors because their parents aren’t around to supervise.

Data from the study showed that individuals in 2008 and 2009 were two-and-a-half times more likely to acquire a traumatic brain injury than individuals participating in snow sports in the early 1990s. This was attributed in part to an increased popularity in events such as the X Games. It could also be due to the fact that many people are more aware of the symptoms and effects of a brain injury, thus making people more likely to seek care.

Regardless of how you acquired your brain injury, it may be life-changing. Care should be sought in order to mitigate the potential damage of the injury, and if there is a responsible party involved — or you believe there is one — you should consider contacting an attorney to advise you on any legal matters you may want to pursue.

Source: Colorado Daily, “Study: Snow-sports head injuries on the rise” Sarah Kuta, Apr. 22, 2013

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