Important statistics about closed head trauma

Posted in Our Blog on October 23, 2015

Closed head trauma is a type of head injury that does not involve an open wound. Although the external signs of closed head trauma may not be extremely evident, these kinds of injuries can result in permanent brain damage and serious lifetime disabilities. This article will discuss recent statistics relating to the prevalence of such injuries.

In the United States, we see approximately 200 instances of closed head trauma for every 100,000 people annually. Considering that there are approximately 291.6 million people in the United States, this means that about 570,000 people suffer closed head trauma wounds every year. Sadly, 15 percent of these individuals die as a result of the injury transport to the emergency room for treatment.

Traumatic injuries are the most prevalent cause of death among children and adults under the age of 46. Among these trauma deaths, head injuries account 25 percent of them. In most cases, a penetrating intracranial injury causes more severe outcomes than a closed head injury will, but this does not discount the seriousness of a closed head injury.

The vast majority of closed head injuries in young adults and teens are caused by car accidents. Drug use and alcohol causes about 38 percent of severe head trauma cases among young patients. Meanwhile, it appears that closed head brain injuries among older patients are on the rise – most likely because of the rising use of antiplatelet and anticoagulant drugs.

Louisiana residents who suffer a closed head trauma injury will want seek medical attention immediately. After their conditions haves stabilized, they might consider speaking with a personal injury attorney regarding the accident or event that led to the injury. If a viable personal injury claim for damages exists, it may be possible to seek financial restitution in court.

Source: Medscape, “Closed Head Trauma,” Leonardo Rangel-Castilla, MD, accessed Oct. 23, 2015