The Long-Term Effects of Traumatic Brain Injuries
Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), which occur when a forceful impact to the head causes disruptions in the normal functioning of the brain, can have profound implications for accident victims. While some of these effects are short-term and will disappear over time, many others end up being long-term. This can be particularly frustrating for those whose TBIs were the result not of their own negligence, but of someone else’s carelessness. In these cases, it may be necessary to seek compensation from the at-fault parties who caused the injury.
Understanding the Short-Term Consequences of TBIs
The term traumatic brain injury actually encompasses a wide range of conditions and injuries, all of which involve an external force affecting the brain. These forces could be the result of a fall, a car crash, or some other form of trauma. Whatever the cause, such an impact can have significant repercussions for the proper functioning of the brain, with victims often suffering a variety of symptoms, such as dizziness and confusion, headaches, loss of vision or hearing, problems with balance, nausea and vomiting, and even memory loss. Fortunately, many of these symptoms prove to be short-term and will resolve themselves with treatment and time.
Long-Term Repercussions of TBIs
TBIs can also have more long-lasting consequences, many of which significantly impact an individual’s life and ability to function. Long-term effects include:
- Physical symptoms, such as chronic headaches;
- Sensory issues, like a heightened sensitivity to light, sound, and touch;
- Motor skill impairments, including difficulties with balance and coordination;
- Cognitive challenges, like memory problems;
- Attention deficit issues, which make it difficult for a person to focus on a task, sustain attention, or switch back and forth between different tasks;
- Language difficulties, including problems with understanding language and expressing coherent thoughts;
- Behavioral changes, including alterations in mood; and
- Personality changes, with many victims becoming irritable or more impulsive.
Addressing these kinds of long-term effects will require comprehensive care and therapeutic intervention. Unfortunately, this care can be expensive, which is why accident victims are often encouraged to seek compensation for their medical bills from the at-fault parties who were responsible for their injury.
Impact on Daily Life
The kinds of long-term effects that so often accompany serious TBIs can cause challenges for both a person’s professional and personal life. Many TBI patients, for instance, struggle to perform the same work-related tasks and maintain personal relationships. Long-term care, rehabilitation, and therapy can help with these issues, but are often expensive.
Here to Help with Your Legal Claim
If you or a loved one sustained a TBI because of someone else’s carelessness, we can help you seek compensation for your medical bills. Call the Fort Lauderdale traumatic brain injury attorneys at Boone & Davis for an assessment of your legal options. You can reach us by calling 954-566-9919 or by sending us an online message. Initial consultations are offered free of charge, so don’t hesitate to call or contact us online today.
Sources:
cdc.gov/traumaticbraininjury/get_the_facts.html
mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/traumatic-brain-injury/symptoms-causes/syc-20378557
