Any parent will tell you that children get hurt all the time, and head bumps are by no means uncommon. But while minor bumps and wounds like cuts, scrapes, and bruises will heal over a short period of time, traumatic brain injuries (TBI) can lead to long-term consequences.
Because children’s’ brains are still forming, traumatic injuries may hinder the brain’s ability to form as it should during normal growth periods. Ultimately, this can result in the young person developing physical, cognitive, and behavioral disabilities and other forms of impairment.
Data from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) shows that children under four years old are at an increased risk of brain injuries compared to many other age groups. Below, we discuss what risk factors play a role in these incidents and ways that parents can help keep children safe.
Brain Injuries in Younger Children
Falls are, by far, the most common cause of brain injuries in young children. Toddlers are especially at risk because they are still learning to walk and develop their coordination and balance skills. Some examples of where falls occur include flights of stairs, slippery floors, windows, ladders, playgrounds, or bicycles.
With this in mind, parents and caregivers should take steps to reduce the risk of falls in and around homes where young children live or spend time:
- Install child-proof window guards
- Install safety gates at the top of staircases
- Don’t let children play unattended on balconies or porches
- Install rails for young children sleeping in bunk beds
- Use bathmats to prevent slips in the tub
- Seek out playgrounds with shock-absorbent surfaces, such as wood chips, sand, or rubber
- Always have your child wear a helmet when biking, skateboarding, or riding a scooter
Was Your Child Injured? Contact our Team
As a parent, there truly is nothing worse than something bad happening to your child and having to witness them suffer. While nothing can negate the trauma your child has suffered, your family deserves justice and proper compensation if their injuries were caused by the negligence of another person.
At Bertoldo Carter Smith & Cullen, our Las Vegas brain injuries attorneys are dedicated to protecting families across Clark County. Our tenacious legal team will hold responsible parties accountable and fight for the compensation you need to move forward together as a family.
Contact BBCSC at (702) 505-8115 to schedule your no-fee, no-obligation consultation today!