TBI in Children Caused Often By Common Everyday Products

Children and adolescents are particularly susceptible to sustaining traumatic brain injuries (TBI). In the U.S. every year, 700,000 children under the age of 19 are diagnosed with TBI. This represents a large percentage of the 1.7 million TBI patients diagnosed every year. The Official Research Journal of the International Brain Injury Association (IBIA) published a study of an investigation of top consumer products and activities that cause traumatic brain injury in children and adolescents.

The researchers analyzed data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System for the period 2010 to 2013. From this research, they discovered that home fixtures and furnishings in addition to recreation and sports products were the most common products associated with accidents resulting in TBI. Some of the most dangerous products for children and teenagers included floors, stairs, beds, and footballs.

Older teens and toddlers at greatest risk for TBI

Within the database, all head injuries involving fracture, internal organ injury, or concussion were identified as TBI cases. According to the research results from the period mentioned above, nearly 4.1 children and adolescents under the age of 19 visited the emergency room and were diagnosed with one of these injuries. The numbers of children (in round numbers) that visited the ER for TBI fell into the following age brackets:

• Adolescents 15 to 19 years old – 1.1 million
• Children 10 to 14 years old – 835,000
• Children 5 to 9 years old – 683,000
• Toddlers 1 to 4 years old – 1.1 million
• Babies under 1 year old – 381,000

More than 9 in 10 of the injuries reported in the study were not intentional, and these young patients were discharged from the hospital the same day they were treated in the ED. Over 75% of the cases involved internal organ injuries – and nearly the same number occurred in connection with a consumer product. The percentages of these injuries associated with a particular product were as follows:

• Recreation and sports products – 28.8%
• Home furniture and fixtures – 17.2%
• Home structures and construction material – 17.1%
• Child nursery equipment – 2.7%
• Children’s toys – 2.4%
• Items for personal use – 1.4%
• Hobby items – 0.7%

Products associated with TBI in babies and children

The products responsible for a TBI diagnosis varied according to age group. Several breakdowns of brain injuries according to product and age were as follows:

• Home furnishing and fixtures – 42.7% were babies under 1 year old
• Home structures and construction material – 23.6% were babies under 1 year old
• Child nursery equipment – 18.8% were babies under 1 year old
• Sports and recreation – 54% (children 10 to 14), 36.4% (children 15 to 19), 31.8% (children 5 to 9)

The products that lead the list for contributing to non-fatal traumatic injuries were:

• Footballs – for 10 to 19-year-olds
• Floors – for 5 to 9-year-olds
• Beds – for children less than one-year-old

Child injuries and premises liability

Children who visit a home or place of business must be kept reasonably safe from potential hazards. It is the responsibility of the owner or occupant of the premises to provide clear warnings or remove present dangers. Otherwise the victim may have a right to compensation through premises liability lawsuit. Even if a child trespasses on a property, the child should not encounter an obviously dangerous condition, such as a pool without fencing.

Traumatic brain injuries can lead to long-term consequences when it comes to health and quality of life. If you or your child has sustained a brain injury from exposure to an everyday product or on another person’s property due to their negligence or reckless behavior, our attorneys at Cunningham & Mears can help. We can advocate on your behalf strongly for the financial compensation you deserve. To set up a free consultation about your case, call our law office today at 405.212.9234 or complete contact form today.