Regardless of age, traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a risk we all share. In fact, it’s one of the most commonly cited injuries in personal injury lawsuits in Arizona, including auto accidents, motorcycle accidents, workplace injuries, and more.
But for young people, the risk of harm shifts substantially depending on the child’s age, according to a new report from Arizona Public Radio.
In children under the age of 2, the most common causes of brain injury are:
- Falling from heights
- Falling down the stairs
- Falling from standing, walking, or running
Between ages 2 and 12, the top causes are:
- Falling from heights
- Falling from standing, walking, or running
- Accidental bops on the head
For teenagers, the most common causes of the blunt-force head or brain trauma were:
- Assault (an astounding 24% of the reported cases)
- Sports injuries (19%)
- Auto accident injuries (18%)
The conclusions were based on data collected from 43,000 children admitted to the ER for blunt-force head trauma last decade.
What we see in these numbers is that while very young children are still at risk for head injury and TBI, the causes are often innocent or purely accidental. As children age, though, they become more vulnerable to negligent or reckless behavior.
Given that TBI is the leading cause of death and disability for children over the age of 1, these statistics are incredibly helpful in understanding how to protect our children. The study’s authors urge the diligent use of seatbelts and helmets, for example.
Head injuries can happen at any age. If you or your child has suffered injury as a result of someone else’s careless or negligent behavior, an experienced Phoenix personal injury attorney at Kamper & Estrada, PLLC can help. Give us a call.
