Traumatic brain injuries, or TBIs, are some of the most serious types of personal injuries. Not only do TBIs often cost a great deal of money to treat, but, in many cases, they also impact victims for the remainder of their lives. The life-changing effects of a TBI may be unnoticeable to outside observers, but victims may struggle with diminished abilities including physical, mental, and emotional. It is critical that TBIs be treated comprehensively to minimize the impact on a victim’s life, particularly if the victim was young or in good health prior to the accident.
Types of TBIs and Their Effects
TBIs can have both immediate and long-term consequences. According to the National Institute of Health, immediate effects of TBIs can include:
- Seizures, which may also extend into the long-term
- Nerve damage
- Blood clots
- Narrowing of blood vessels
- Stroke
- Coma
- Brain infections
In the long-term, TBI victims may suffer from:
- Cognition issues, including difficulting reasoning and learning
- Memory issues
- Difficulty with decision making
- Loss of or problems with sensory abilities, including having double vision, bitter taste, ringing in the ears, and pain throughout the body
- Communication difficulties, particularly reading, writing, and explaining complex thoughts
- Emotional problems, including depression and anxiety
- The onset of diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s
- Chronic traumatic encephalopathy, which is a permanent swelling of the brain that causes problems with memory, motor skills, and reasoning.
What Can Be Done About the Effects of Traumatic Brain Injury?
Victims of TBI must seek immediate treatment after their injuries. In most cases, the sooner a TBI is identified and addressed, the better the outcome. However, TBI treatment is not easy and is often extremely costly. Many victims spend time waiting for an insurance settlement or other payment, only to find they have missed an opportunity to receive TBI treatment in a timely manner.
Another problem in addressing TBIs is the fact that they are often classified initially by severity, and even when that diagnosis changes, it may be hard to collect compensation. For example, a whiplash car injury may appear to be relatively mild at first. However, several months after the injury, doctors may discover that a concussion has led to a more serious injury, and the victim may need more extensive medical treatment. If the victim has, by this time, already settled with the insurance company, it may be very difficult to collect more compensation to pay for additional treatment.
Ultimately, the best way to ensure that your traumatic brain injury is covered is to seek full compensation to start with. In order to do this, it sometimes helps to have the support of an experienced personal injury attorney like those at Barber & Associates. These attorneys have spent many years assisting the victims of traumatic brain injuries and can help you understand and protect your rights. Call Barber & Associates today to learn more about how to ensure that you have the funds to pay for present and future treatment of your TBI.