Suffering from a traumatic brain injury can change your life. Unfortunately, for some people, there is no real full recovery available after a traumatic brain injury. Recent studies have indicated that men who have suffered from a traumatic brain injury (TBI) are 2.5 times more likely to be imprisoned in a Canadian federal correction facility than their non-injured counterparts.

Women are generally more likely to have survived a TBI. Interestingly, their rates of incarceration are also higher. In fact, they are greater than even the males at 2.76 times higher than uninjured females.

This connection indicates that suffering from a TBI is a significant risk factor for being involved with the criminal justice system. The study’s results will hopefully better identify those who are at risk for being incarcerated and enable the prison system to better care for those within its walls.

Why Does TBI Increase Incarceration Rates?

Experts argue that those who have a TBI do not have a support system or the care they need after the accident. These people fall through the cracks and end up getting themselves in trouble with the law.

Survivors of traumatic brain injuries often have long-term struggles in terms of controlling their emotions and impulses. Their behaviour can sometimes be seen as erratic or irrational. They may not have a healthy respect for the law as well.

What Is a Traumatic Brain Injury?

A TBI occurs when an individual suffers a blow to the head or body. It can also happen if the person incurs a wound that breaks through the skull, falls, or any other injury that shakes the brain. These injuries can cause swelling, tearing, or bruising of brain tissue, which can cause long-term damage. The most common causes of TBIs are car accidents and slip and fall accidents.

TBIs often result in problems associated with speaking, learning, and movement. Emotional trauma can also occur as well. Increased fatigue, vision problems, dizziness, and headaches are often related to traumatic brain injuries. Memory problems can also arise—both short-term and long-term difficulties.

Treating Traumatic Brain Injuries

Getting the right treatment can help decrease the risk associated with incarceration and suicidal thoughts. TBIs are addressed in a variety of ways, both physically and psychologically. TBIs may require long-term treatment and several methods.

Occupational and physical therapy can help you deal with physical changes that result from your TBI. This type of treatment can help you live independently after an accident.
Speech and language therapy can help those who have lost some of their language skills or problem-solving abilities.
Social support and support groups allow those who suffered from a TBI to speak with others who are going through the same thing. Family and friends often offer valuable support as well.
Counselling can help you work through your feelings, as your thought processes may dramatically change after TBI. This type of treatment can help you regain control of your mental processes.

Certain medications may also be available based on your unique circumstances.

Have you Suffered a Brain Injury?

If you have suffered from a TBI due to a car accident or fall, you need an experienced brain injury lawyer to help you recover compensation from the person or party who caused your injury.

The team of lawyers at Diamond and Diamond have experience handling brain injury claims. Call our 24/7 injury hotline at 1-800-567-HURT or visit our website to speak to someone now. We offer free consultations and case evaluations. Our team of personal injury lawyers represents clients throughout British Columbia.