Your Advocate In Serious Injury Claims

What are the long-term effects of a brain injury?

A person in Houma could suffer a traumatic brain injury in a car crash, a sporting accident, a workplace accident or in a slip-and-fall. While the injury may require immediate medical attention, victims of TBIs should know that a TBI can have long-term effects as well. Depending on the damages suffered, brain injury victims may want to seek compensation.

A TBI can affect the victim’s basic cognition. A TBI victim may have problems concentrating or moving on from one task to the next. Their thought process may slow down and even their speech may be slowed down. Confusion could set in, especially if there is a change in their routine. Rehabilitation and therapy may help somewhat, but can be expensive and they are not a cure-all.

A TBI could also affect the victim’s moods and behavior. It may seem like their personality has totally reversed. For example, a once optimistic person could become very pessimistic. A person could be very irritable or aggressive. All of these changes are very difficult not just for the victim but also for the victim’s loved ones. This could lead to a loss of companionship.

There are other long-term effects that could result from a TBI. A TBI could negatively affect the victim’s vision and there could be a disconnect between what they are seeing and what they are comprehending. There could be an increase in sensitivity in the victim’s senses of hearing, touch, smell or taste. The victim’s sense of balance may be compromised, and they could experience debilitating episodes of vertigo. The victim could even suffer from seizures. These effects could make it difficult for the victim to perform their work duties, leading to a loss of earning potential.

Unfortunately, a person may never be the same again after suffering a TBI. With all the possible long-term effects that accompany brain injuries, a victim can find that they now face a lifetime of change and difficulties. The victim’s damages extend much farther beyond the medical expenses initially incurred. When a brain injury victim needs extensive rehabilitation, can no longer maintain relationships they once had and cannot work, they will incur a significant amount of financial damages. When the TBI is due to someone else’s negligence, the victim may want to determine if they can seek compensation not just for damages immediately incurred, but also for those that develop over time.

Source: brainline, “What Impact Will Moderate or Severe TBI Have on a Person’s Life?,” accessed April 9, 2018