The Mayo Clinic reports that some of the complications or long-term effects of a traumatic brain injury include cognitive impairments, communication issues, and even behavioral or emotional changes.
A person with a severe traumatic brain injury may need intensive care for the rest of their life. They may need to relocate to a long-term healthcare facility or live with others in a controlled setting.
Understanding the Long-Term Effects of a Traumatic Brain Injury
A traumatic brain injury has the ability to completely transform your quality of life. These injuries can be the result of motor vehicle accidents, falls, assaults, near-fatal drownings, and medical errors.
After suffering such an injury, the Mayo Clinic notes that you could face several complications over a prolonged period:
Emotional Changes
A traumatic brain injury may lead you to struggle with anxiety, depression, mood swings, anger, and social anxiety. This is because traumatic brain injuries can cause damage to brain cells and neurotransmitters, among other factors.
Cognitive Impairments
A person with a traumatic brain injury may no longer be able to carry out the same day-to-day cognitive tasks that they used to do.
They may also struggle with:
- Recalling certain pieces of information
- Remembering parts of their life, including the event that caused them to get hurt
- Focusing at work or school
- Communicating with others
- Following step-by-step instructions
While some people can recover their cognitive abilities through therapy, others never can.
Loss of Coordination
The brain works in conjunction with the spinal cord to send messages to different parts of the body. When the brain cannot function as it usually does, an affected person may have problems controlling motor functions of the body. They may experience balance issues or tingling sensations in their arms, legs, hands, and feet, as well.
Neurogenerative Disorders
A traumatic brain injury could potentially lead to neurogenerative disorders later in an affected person’s life. These disorders include:
- Parkinson’s disease. As noted, a traumatic brain injury can damage brain cells. Parkinson’s disease often affects a person’s movement.
- Chronic traumatic encephalopathy. This disease is caused by repeated blows to the head. It is a fatal disease that becomes worse over time.
- Alzheimer’s disease. People with Alzheimer’s disease gradually have problems remembering things. They often cannot live on their own and struggle with confusion.
While these conditions can be addressed through medical attention, they are not curable.
Short-Term Effects of a Traumatic Brain Injury
Not all aspects of a traumatic brain injury are permanent. Some can go away on their own. With treatment, others can dissipate over time.
According to the Mayo Clinic, some of the short-term effects of a traumatic brain injury include:
- Headaches
- Nausea and vomiting
- Dizziness
- Problems adjusting to light or sound
- Difficulty sleeping
- Confusion
- Fatigue
There is no way to know whether you have a mild or severe traumatic brain injury until you have been examined by a healthcare professional. Even if you initially write off your symptoms as mild, they could become serious over time.
It is important to seek medical treatment as soon as possible in order to document your injuries and begin pursuing a course of treatment.
Consider Legal Action if You Suffered a Traumatic Brain Injury
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that traumatic brain injuries are often extremely expensive. If you were harmed due to another party’s actions, you could pursue compensation for medical bills, along with other expenses.
You could:
- File an insurance claim. In this instance, you would identify the liable party and pursue compensation from them by first sending a demand letter. Through negotiations, you could secure financial recovery for your lost wages, pain and suffering, and healthcare expenses.
- File a lawsuit. You could file a lawsuit against the party that directly caused your accident. Your case must be filed within Indiana’s statute of limitations to be heard by the court system.
You could work with a lawyer from our team on your case. We can help you determine whether to pursue an insurance claim or lawsuit. We can also tell you how much your case may be worth and what damages you could qualify to pursue.
Sevenish Law Firm, P.C. Handles Traumatic Brain Injury Cases
Our founder, Randy Sevenish, is proud to bring many years of service to the table in advocating for clients. Since 1985, he has been advocating for victims of injuries and their families, and prior to his years as an attorney, Randy worked in law enforcement. At Sevenish Law Firm, P.C., we will fight for justice for your case from start to finish.
Call us today to learn more about how legal action can help you recoup compensation for your losses. Your first case review is free. Dial (317) 720-3229 to connect with our team today.
Call or text 317-636-7777 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
