Brain injuries can happen in a flash, and the causes are just as varied as the effects. Auto accidents, sports, slip-and-falls and various other types of accidents can cause a traumatic brain injury. A researcher from Toronto’s St. Michael’s Hospital recently completed a study about traumatic brain injuries and the effects of such injuries on homeless men.
The study, which recently was published in CMAJ Open brings to light the connection between homelessness and traumatic brain injuries. The study only surveyed a small number of homeless men – 110 to be exact – but the results were interesting.
The researcher found that 45 percent of the homeless men who were surveyed have experienced a traumatic brain injury. Even more saddening is that most of the brain injuries were due to assaults.
The traumatic brain injuries suffered by these homeless men may be responsible for many things in their lives. The study’s author, who is involved in neurosurgery and trauma research at the hospital said, “You could see how it would happen. You have a concussion, and you can’t concentrate or focus. Their thinking abilities and personalities change. They can’t manage at work, and they may lose their job, and eventually lose their families. And then it’s a negative spiral.”
The symptoms of traumatic brain injuries are far-reaching and can have long-lasting effects on a victim’s life. Another study showed that almost 50 percent of adolescents that were admitted to the New York penal system for the first time had suffered a traumatic brain injury. In addition, studies have shown that military service members who have suffered such an injury are more likely to take their own lives than members who have not.
Caring for someone who has suffered a traumatic brain injury can be very expensive. There could be ongoing costs for rehabilitation, as well as many other medical costs. Some victims will even require life-long care. Personal injury lawsuits provide a means for victims and families in Ohio to seek compensation for such expenses, as well as the non-economical damages that are also present.
Time, “Almost Half of Homeless Men Had a Previous Brain Injury” Bryan Walsh, Apr. 26, 2014