Traumatic Brain Injuries in the Military
If you are one such victim, learn what you could do today.
When people hear of soldiers acting erratically or lashing out violently because of minor things, they may automatically think "Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder" (PTSD).
But what they may not know is that a huge number of soldiers are involved in accidents every year that cause injury to the brain, resulting in traumatic brain injury (TBI).
In 2011 alone 23,633 soldiers were diagnosed with TBI.
In essence, these injuries are bad concussions or penetrations to the head that result in brain injury and they cause symptoms similar to PTSD, such as anxiety, irritability, depression, and low stress tolerance.
To help treat soldiers who have suffered such injuries and get them back into the field, or at least back to living a normal life, the Carl R.
Darnall Army Medical Center in Fort Hood, TX has a TBI clinic that offers screenings, therapy, and rehab for soldiers who have suffered TBI.
In the recent case of Sgt.
1st Class Sgt.
Jeremy Ricketts, even shopping at Walmart can present a problem because of TBI.
Due to his symptoms, people blocking aisles and interfering with his "mission" can make shopping a nightmare.
Fortunately, his wife understands and often goes on ahead while he waits, or agrees to shop on another day when it's less busy.
Another soldier diagnosed with TBI, Sgt.
Michael Darby, struggles with memory and anger problems, as well as headaches, ringing in the ears, and sensitivity to light.
With help from the clinic, both of these soldiers' symptoms are improving, as do most of the 100-plus cases the clinic sees every day.
In most circumstances, patients at the clinic return to duty within two or three months.
In Sgt.
Ricketts' case, he's ready to jump back into duty as soon as they say "go.
" Head injuries are no laughing matter.
They can cause serious damage to your health, to your life, and to the lives of your friends and loved ones.
Though these two men sustained these injuries in the line of duty, there are many people who suffer severe injuries every day at the hand of a careless individual.
In these cases, legal action can often be taken to see justice done and to get financial compensation for the person's injuries.
An innocent victim should never have to pay for an accident they did not cause.
If you have sustained a serious personal injury of any kind, find out what a personal injury attorney could do to defend you.