March is Brain Injury Awareness Month

With COVID-19 spreading throughout the world, now is a great time to refocus on what’s important in life. Our health plays a huge role in how we experience the world, and those who have suffered from a brain injury know firsthand how difficult life following the incident can be. From housing our memory to being in charge of our motor functionality, our brain plays a pivotal role in our day-to-day life. Thankfully, our disability lawyer in Chattanooga is here to help shed light on the importance of Brain Injury Awareness Month as well as provide support throughout the Social Security Disability application process.

Stats on Brain Injuries

Every 9 seconds, someone in the U.S. sustains a life-altering brain injury. Roughly 47 percent of brain injuries are the result of a fall while being struck by something or getting in a motor vehicle accident are also common causes. Approximately one out of every 60 people in the U.S. live with a TBI-related disability, causing many sufferers to turn to our disability lawyer in Chattanooga. In the U.S. alone, roughly 137 people die due to a TBI-related injury. These statistics can be difficult to process, and living with a TBI doesn’t only impact the injured individual, but family members, healthcare providers, insurance companies, and many more parties will feel the impact of this type of injury.

Protecting Yourself From a Brain Injury

Because there are so many different ways to sustain a traumatic brain injury, there are many safety measures and precautions that you should take in order to decrease your risk of an accident. Every time you are driving or in a motor vehicle, it’s important to wear your seatbelt. If you have children, always make sure that they are buckled in with a child safety seat or booster seat depending on their age and their weight. Never drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol and put your phone away while you are driving. Helmets are pivotal to preventing traumatic brain injuries and they should be worn while you are riding a bike, using a skateboard, playing contact sports, etc.

Preventing falls at home is another important area to consider. Older adults should consider installing handrails in high-risk fall areas such as in bathrooms or along stairs. Make sure that the lighting throughout your home is sufficient and that you utilize non-slip mats in bathrooms.

Finally, the safety of children should be considered as well. The risk of head injuries can be lowered by using safety gates at both the tops and bottom of stairs. Make sure the stairs are free of clutter and install window guards to prevent accidents from happening.

Contact Our Disability Lawyer Serving Chattanooga

In the case that you or a loved one suffers from a traumatic brain injury, our team at McCarthy, Murphy & Preslar, P.C. can help you through this difficult time. Contact us today and we will respond within 24 hours.