Insights & Articles

Brain Injuries: Unseen But Not Uncommon

June 15, 2023June 8, 2023

Catherine Shearer
Partner

Graphic of a brain with an area highlighted in red. Brain is sitting on a blue line chart.

Updated as of June 15, 2023.

Traumatic brain injuries can have devastating impacts on the whole family. This is why it is so important to learn about what brain injuries are, how they can happen, how we can prevent them and the broader social impact they can have.

Brain Injury Statistics

165,000 Canadians suffer from brain injuries every year.ⁱ
This year in Ontario 795 children out of 100,000 will suffer a brain injury this year.ⁱⁱ
Brain injuries are the leading cause of death and disability worldwide.ⁱⁱⁱ
One person every 3 minutes suffers from an acquired brain injury.^iv
That means 1.5 million Canadians are living with a brain injury.^v

Top Causes of Traumatic Brain Injuries

Some of the most common causes of traumatic brain injuries are:

Motor vehicle collisions
Falls
Workplace injuries
Sports related injuries
Assaults

Symptoms of Traumatic Brain Injuries

Physical symptoms such as headache, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, speech issues, dizziness
Sensory symptoms such as blurred vision, tinnitus, sensitivity to light or sound
Cognitive and behavioural symptoms such as loss of conciseness, being dazed or confused, memory and concentration problems, mood changes, difficulty sleeping, and/or feeling depressed^vi

Social Impact of Brain Injuries

Mental Health

According to one study mood disorders were seen in 38.3% of those who suffered from a traumatic brain injury.^vii If you or your loved one suffer from a brain injury, there is a significantly higher chance of developing a mood disorder. Half of all people with a TBI are affected by depression in the first year and this rate jumps to two thirds when assessed 7 years after the injury.^viii This also comes with increased risk of suicide, even for those who have been diagnosed with a concussion.^ix

Incarceration Rates

Studies have shown that those with a traumatic brain injury are 2.5 times more likely to be incarcerated than those who had not sustained such injury.^x

Indigenous Community

The indigenous community is disproportionality affected by traumatic brain injuries.^xi In fact, brain injuries among this population are approximately 4 times higher than that of the general population.^xii

This problem is in part attributed to lack of adequate care and support from the healthcare system in more remote locations.

Homelessness

Research has shown that 50% of homeless people in Canada have a brain injury.^xiii It is clear that there is a nexus between mental health, brain injuries and homelessness.

Caregiver Burnout

Caregiver burnout or compassion fatigue is a real and a serious issue for those who are supporting loved ones who have sustained these traumatic injuries. This occurs where the caregiver neglects their own care in favour of supporting their injured loved one. This can and does lead to feelings of overwhelm, fatigue and even hopelessness or depression.^xiv

Brain Injury Prevention

The best way to prevent a brain injury is to stay safe. While this may seem like common sense, it is important remember to:

Always wear your seatbelt
Do not text and drive
Ensure car seats for children are properly installed
Never drive while under the influence of drugs or alcohol
Wear a helmet when you or your children ride a bike, motorcycle, scooter or ATV
Wear a helmet during sports
Ensure helmets are properly fitted
Ensure there are safe home environments for children and elderly
Ensure kids play areas are safe
Install window guards in your home to prevent falls
Use stair gates for children

Advocating for Your Legal Rights

Cases involving traumatic Acquired Brain Injuries require an experienced team that consists of both medical and legal professionals to ensure the injured person receives the treatment they need. Please contact a personal injury lawyer today for a free initial consultation by email or by phone at (519) 672-5666. Catherine works in both our Guelph Ontario and London Ontario office. In many cases, your legal fees are deferred until a settlement is reached. We welcome referrals from other lawyers.

This article was written by Personal Injury Lawyer, Catherine Shearer and Summer Student, Lydia Horton. For additional information, please do not hesitate to contact catherine.shearer@mckenzielake.com or lydia.horton@mckenzielake.com.

If you require assistance with any legal matter, speak to a lawyer at McKenzie Lake Lawyers LLP by calling (519) 672-5666.

i https://braininjurycanada.ca/en/statistics/#TBI

ii https://biad.ca/about-brain-injury/

iii https://biad.ca/about-brain-injury/

iv https://braininjurycanada.ca/en/statistics/#TBI

v https://braininjurycanada.ca/en/statistics/#TBI

vi https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/traumatic-brain-injury/symptoms-causes/syc-20378557

vii https://braininjurycanada.ca/en/statistics/#TBI

viii https://braininjurycanada.ca/en/statistics/#TBI

ix https://braininjurycanada.ca/en/statistics/#TBI

x https://braininjurycanada.ca/en/statistics/#TBI