Social forces over the last decade have driven public awareness (and acceptance) of traumatic brain injuries. More particularly, the Gulf Wars with their multitude of IED-related blast injuries, and the NFL players' claims for sports-related head injuries have brought publicity to the nature and devastating long-term effects of insults to the brain. These same forces have driven scientific research and medical advances in the diagnosis, treatment and understanding of traumatic brain injuries. Public awareness and scientific means of objective verification of these injuries have likewise entered the courtrooms of this country. Each year, traumatic brain injuries contribute to a substantial number of deaths and cases of permanent disability. Studies have estimated that nearly 1.6 million TBI's occur in the United States every year, resulting in over 50,000 deaths and over 70,000 patients with permanent neurological deficits.

What is a Traumatic Brain Injury?

Traumatic brain injuries have been defined and classified by various medical organizations to assist medical practitioners in diagnosing such injuries. The definition of TBI has not been consistent and tends to vary according to specialties and circumstances. Generally, a traumatic brain injury is a non-degenerative, non-congenital acquired injury or insult to the brain from an external mechanical force, possibly leading to permanent or temporary impairment of cognitive, physical and psychosocial functions, with an associated diminished or altered state of consciousness.