Did you or a loved one fall or trip and break a major bone? Did you fracture your skull in a car accident, or crush a lung? Did you burn your body or suffer severe skin loss in an accident? These are traumatic things that happen to us and are known as Traumatic Injuries. As serious injury attorneys serving Knoxville and Pigeon Forge, we see and help victims of these types of accidents.

Traumatic injuries are the No. 1 cause of death among children, and among adults younger than 46 years of age. In medical terms, Trauma refers to a serious or critical bodily injury, wound or shock. There are approximately 190,000 deaths from trauma-related injuries each year in the U.S., which is around 520 deaths every day! Traumatic injuries kill more children than the next 10 causes of death combined. Trauma is the No. 3 cause of death overall, disregarding age.

In elderly people, falls are the most common cause of traumatic injury, accounting for 84 percent of all hip fractures. All too often, seniors fall and get seriously hurt, and due to their age, recovery is more challenging, and takes longer than in a younger person.

Traumatic Brain Injury, Spinal Cord Injury, Spine Fractures, Severed Limbs, Facial Trauma, Skull Fractures, Subdural Hematomas, Collapsed Lungs, Concussions, Crush Injuries – these are all examples of traumatic injuries. Typically, surgery is required in these cases. The Coalition for National Trauma Research keeps statistics on traumatic injuries, and accepts donations for help in researching and improving treatment and healing, to save more lives.

These traumas are rated on an Injury Severity Score (ISS). The injury Severity Score is an established medical score to assess trauma severity. It correlates with mortality, morbidity, and hospitalization time after trauma. It is used to define the term Major trauma. The ISS classifies each injury in every body region according to its relative severity on a six-point scale, and this rating factors into the prognosis and treatment plan. The six body regions are: Head/neck, Face, Thorax, Abdomen/Pelvis, Extremities and External.

Since you never know when these injuries may happen, it is wise to carry health insurance, and be able to call 911 to get you the help you need. Always keep cell phones charged, and know the closest hospital. Be aware of all emergency centers in your area. It is also prudent to carry emergency contacts in your purse or wallet, including a list of medications you take, health conditions and any allergies you may have. Medical staff needs this information and it could help save your life. If you or a loved one needs legal guidance for any injury or accident in Tennessee, please contact our experienced personal injury lawyers. Be aware, and stay safe.