Children and Brain Injuries: How to Keep Your Child Safe in Dunnellon, Inverness and Homosassa

Most people think traumatic brain injuries are reserved for victims of catastrophic car accidents or professional athletes playing high contact sports. However, brain injuries can happen to anyone in any type of accident, and when a brain injury is suffered, lives can be changed forever. Sadly, when children are injured the severity of the injury is often increased, elevating the risk for permanent disability.

The good news is that not everyone that suffers a brain injury will be permanently injured. In many cases, accident victims recover within a few days or weeks.

However, while certain mild brain injuries can be treated with proper medical care, some TBIs can result in long-term damage.

According to researchers at The American Brain Foundation, repetitive brain injuries can cause a neurodegenerative disease called chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). In fact, this can even be brought on by just one severe blow to the head. CTE is a serious brain injury that can leave a person with lasting brain atrophy, with conditions similar to that of someone with Alzheimer’s disease. This can affect children as young as 5 years old. In fact, young children are at an even higher risk because their brain tissue is still developing, so any brain damage incurred can greatly affect the outcome of long-term damages.

With this year’s school season underway, your child may become involved in numerous after school activities and sports. Undoubtedly, children are at risk for multiple types of injuries depending on how active they are. As a parent, you may be wondering how to keep your child safe, on and off the field. The following information can help you reduce your child’s risk for TBIs or any permanent disabilities associated with a head injury.

• Always Make Sure Your Child Wears a Helmet – The use of helmets can significantly reduce your child’s risk for a head injury. So, no matter if your child is on the football field or biking or skateboarding through the neighborhood, make sure they are wearing a helmet!
• Do Not Delay, Seek Medical Attention ASAP – If you think your child may have sustained a head injury of any kind, always get medical help immediately. Treating even a slight injury right away can reduce your risk for future damage and complications.
• Get a Doctor’s Approval – If your child has suffered a brain or head injury – no matter how mild – get a doctor’s approval before resuming any sporting activities. Never assume that enough time has lapsed and that your child is ready to play again. Like the saying goes, better safe than sorry. Seek a physician’s approval so that you are 100 percent sure your child is in the clear.

When your child suffers a brain injury due to someone else’s carelessness or negligence, you may be unsure of what to do next. Victims of brain injuries generally require numerous ongoing expenses, such as rehabilitation, medical treatment, living assistance and more. The Citrus County Brain Injury Attorneys at Whittel & Melton understand the physical and financial weight these injuries can add to your life. We can help you obtain the financial justice you deserve.

If your child was injured in a sports accident in Inverness, Crystal River, Beverly Hills, Lecanto, Homosassa, Dunnellon, Hernando, Sugarmill Woods, Citrus Springs or Floral City, contact the Citrus County Injury Attorneys at Whittel & Melton online or call 352-726-0078 for a free consultation. We are available nights and weekends, and our phones are answered 24/7. If you are unable to come to us, we make off-site visits to homes and hospitals. All sports injury cases are taken on a contingency fee basis, meaning you will not pay any fees unless we obtain a settlement on your behalf.