A traumatic brain injury (TBI) can occur in an instant when the head is hit with a sudden hard blow or jolt. In just seconds, lives can be changed forever in car accidents, slip and fall accidents, or workplace accidents.
After suffering a TBI, you may not immediately realize you’re injured. Sometimes, the full effects may not be revealed for hours, days, or even weeks. If you or a loved one is a victim of a traumatic brain injury, read on to find out the short and long-term impacts.
Short-Term Impacts of a Traumatic Brain Injury
One of the biggest reasons for seeking medical treatment after accidents is to check for traumatic brain injuries. Sometimes, there may be bruises, cuts, or abrasions on the face and head. Additionally, there may be swelling or bruising in the areas around the eyes or behind the ears. In extreme situations, open wounds that puncture the skull may be evident.
However, even if there are no obvious external injuries, TBIs can still be present. A full medical exam can determine if there is internal trauma to the brain. There may be hematomas, which are pools of blood residing outside the blood vessels. These can cause pressure on the brain, resulting in dizziness, loss of consciousness, or difficulty speaking.
Neurological impairment may be exhibited through confusion, loss of coordination, and inability to maintain balance. Slurred or slowed speech, nausea, vomiting, and sensitivities to light or noise are also common in short-term TBI patients. Seeking immediate treatment when you notice these symptoms can help halt further damage.
Long-Term Consequences of Traumatic Brain Injuries
Unfortunately, a TBI can also leave you with lasting effects that can impact your daily life. The severity of these will depend on the extent of the damage as well as the portion of the brain that it affects.
Injury victims who suffer long-term physical consequences of TBIs usually have motor function impairments such as difficulty keeping balance and coordination. They may see their fine motor skills decline. Muscle weaknesses and tremors may make it hard to grasp objects like pens for writing or make it difficult to walk a short distance.
Another long-term consequence of traumatic brain injuries is that they can cause sensory disturbances. These are often blurred or double vision and light sensitivity. Hearing loss and tinnitus may become a permanent problem. Taste, smell, and touch may also be impacted.
Those who sustain TBIs often have chronic, severe headaches. It’
s possible for seizures to become a regular occurrence, even for those who have never experienced them before.
Perhaps the worst long-term effects of traumatic brain injuries are paralysis and other types of physical disabilities. This is possible if the injury also impacts the spinal cord or the portions of the brain that provide motor control.
How TBIs Are Diagnosed and Treated
A traumatic brain injury will usually be diagnosed through neurological exams, CT scans, MRIs, and neuropsychological tests. The treatment that follows will depend on the severity of this injury.
With a mild TBI like a concussion, you may only need to rest and take over-the-counter medicines while under a doctor’s care. For moderate or severe traumatic brain injuries, you may need to have physical and cognitive therapies, take several types of prescription medications, engage with psychological counseling, or undergo surgery.
The medical expenses for diagnosing and treating a traumatic brain injury can quickly become a financial burden. If you suffered a TBI due to someone else’s negligent actions, you can seek compensation in a personal injury case.
The physical, mental, and financial impacts are only part of the effects of a traumatic brain injury. Your relationships with friends and loved ones may never be the same. Your quality of life will also change, and you may no longer be able to do things you once enjoyed.
What Can a Personal Injury Case Do for Those With Traumatic Brain Injuries?
Traumatic brain injuries can have mild or severe impacts, and if someone else has caused you this injury, it’s imperative to take legal action. You should not be left to pay for all this medical care when someone else is to blame.
Through a personal injury lawsuit, you may be able to recover compensation for your current and future medical bills associated with this injury. You may also seek compensation for lost income, pain and suffering, mental anguish, and loss of enjoyment of life.
It is wise to speak with a top personal injury legal team in St. Louis to understand your legal options following your accident and injuries. Traumatic brain injuries have far-reaching consequences for physical, emotional, and cognitive abilities. As a result, they can drain your finances and create hardship for your family.
Whether you were in a car accident or construction accident or became injured at a hotel or other venue, if you have been diagnosed with traumatic brain injury, you should pursue compensation.
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