The State of Minnesota defines a traumatic brain injury as “a sudden insult or damage to the brain or its coverings caused by an external physical force which may produce a diminished or altered state of consciousness and which results in the following disabilities:
- impairment of cognitive or mental abilities;
- impairment of physical functioning; or
- disturbance of behavioral or emotional functioning.
These disabilities may be temporary or permanent and may result in partial or total loss of function. Traumatic brain injury does not include injuries of a degenerative or congenital nature.”
In everyday terms what this means is that a traumatic brain injury is caused by a physical injuries like car accidents, falls and gunshot wounds. As a result of these injuries a person may lose consciousness and the person will have some problems with their ability to think or physically move or problems with their behavior or emotions.
It is estimated that almost 2,000,000 people each year suffer a traumatic brain injury and 70,000 to 90,000 of these people suffer a brain injury severe enough to keep them from returning to normal lives.
Contact Attorney Todd Johnson for help answering your questions:
- What are the symptoms of a traumatic brain injury?
- My doctor says I have a mild brain injury. What does that mean?
- What is the difference between a brain injury and a concussion?
- How can a person cope with a brain injury?
- Does a person who has had a brain injury need to be more careful to avoid future brain injuries?
- Is there any cure for a brain injury?
Do you have more questions? Please give Todd a call at 1-320-262-3551 or e-mail him to speak with without charge or obligation.