National Concussion Awareness Day is September 18. The purpose of which is to raise awareness about concussions – an injury that can happen during sports, car accidents, falls, and other everyday activities.
Understanding the symptoms and knowing when to seek medical care can help ensure a possible concussion is not overlooked.
How National Concussion Awareness Day Began
National Concussion Awareness Day was started in 2016 by Brooke Mills, who had suffered a serious concussion as a high school freshman.
In 2014, Mills was playing handball during gym class when another student accidentally kicked her in the face as they both went for the ball. The impact knocked her unconscious, and her head also hit the floor.
During her recovery, Mills experienced headaches, memory problems, light sensitivity, dizziness, and other symptoms. She also felt frustrated by how little people around her understood about concussions and their effects.
Her experience inspired her to become an advocate for concussion awareness. In 2016, she launched National Concussion Awareness Day to help educate others, encourage people to recognize and report concussions, and support those living with the effects of brain injuries.
Today, the observance takes place on the third Friday of September each year. The Brain Injury Association of America has also partnered with Mills to promote concussion education and awareness.
What Is a Concussion?
According to the CDC, a concussion is a type of mild traumatic brain injury caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or body that causes the brain to move rapidly inside the skull.
Common causes include:
- Falls
- Car accidents
- Sports and recreational activities
- Bicycle accidents
- Physical assaults
Although concussions are considered “mild” TBIs, they are still brain injuries and should be taken seriously.
Concussions and TBIs by the Numbers
Concussions are one type of TBI and are part of a larger public health concern.
According to the CDC:
- Approximately 214,110 TBI-related hospitalizations occurred in 2020.
- Approximately 68,663 TBI-related deaths occurred in 2023.
- In a CDC study of nonfatal TBI-related hospitalizations in 2018, 51% were caused by falls and 23.8% by motor vehicle accidents.
These figures include traumatic brain injuries of different severities, not concussions alone.
Why Concussion Awareness Matters
Concussion awareness matters because these injuries can be easy to miss. Symptoms are not always immediate or obvious, and a person may not realize they have a concussion.
According to the CDC, symptoms can appear right away or develop hours or days later.
Recognizing the signs can help someone seek medical care and avoid activities that could lead to another head injury while the brain is recovering.
How Our TORKLAW Attorneys Can Help
A concussion or other brain injury can affect nearly every part of your life, from your health and ability to work to your everyday routine and time with loved ones. You deserve a legal team that understands what is at stake.
If someone else’s negligence caused your injury, our TORKLAW concussion injury attorneys are here to listen, guide you through the legal process, and advocate tirelessly on your behalf.
We can investigate what happened, gather evidence, review medical records, identify potentially responsible parties, handle insurance companies, and pursue the compensation available for your injuries and losses.
Our team is available 24/7 for a free case evaluation. We are ready to hear your story and help you understand your next steps.
