The term ‘brain injury’ is a broad term that covers a lot of specific conditions. They cover things such as concussions, skull fractures, haematoma and traumatic brain injuries.
Injuries to the head and brain can occur in lots of different ways. Commonly, they happen when there is a significant blow to the head, or they are acquired shortly after birth. Sports have been in the news recently regarding head injuries, with some sportspeople suffering long-term damage from playing contact sports. If a brain injury has occurred through negligence, then seek professional support from brain injury solicitors to make a compensation claim.
Medical professionals need to treat these injuries differently depending on whom the patient is. Children, athletes and people in specific professions all need tailored treatment plans.
Brain Injuries in Children
Thousands of children a year are affected by an acquired brain injury (ABI). This means it occurred after birth. As the human brain doesn’t finish developing until well into your twenties, the way brain injuries in children are treated has to be different.
Children are really resilient, so they may appear to bounce back from an injury quickly. In reality, signs of brain damage can sometimes take years to become apparent. If this goes unchecked, it can lead to cognitive issues later in life.
Brain Injuries in Athletes
Usually, brain injuries in athletes are caused by a blow to the head. This can be from contact sports such as rugby and boxing, or from a fall whilst playing. Concussions are one of the more common injuries and these require immediate assessment from a medical professional.
Most of the time, injuries such as concussions do resolve themselves with rest and time. However, it is important that an athlete is monitored and assessed during their recovery in order to prevent any long-term damage from occurring.
If an athlete goes back to playing a contact sport too early, the brain injury could worsen and leave them with neurological damage in the future. This can be seen in the recent legal case of 300 rugby players who have suffered from brain damage through playing the sport.
Brain Injuries in Specific Professions
When you think about dangerous professions, there are some that will spring to mind immediately. Construction, military and emergency service workers are all risky professions.
Construction workers and military personnel work in unique fields where their risk of brain injury is higher. Falling from a height or being in combat situations can cause life-altering injuries.
Often, the rehabilitation period from one of the situations is long and painful. Therefore, it is important that employers keep their workplaces as safe as possible. Continuously reviewing safety policies and training should be a priority.
