Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) can have devastating, long-term effects. One in 60 people in the United States are living with disabilities from TBIs. These injuries occur when the brain is forcefully jolted or impacted. They frequently occur as a result of car accidents, slip-and-fall accidents and contact sports, such as American football.
While the effects can vary, depending on which part of the brain was injured, patients may experience:
- Balance problems
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Headaches
- Memory loss
- Mood swings
- Paralysis
- Reduced language skills
- Seizures
- Visual changes
If the frontal lobe (forehead area) is impacted, the patient may have problems with reasoning, problem solving, planning and impulse control. Damaging the left side of the brain leads to logic and speech difficulties, whereas damage to the right side of the brain affects the ability to process visual information and perform familiar tasks.
Treatment options
Although these effects may continue indefinitely, patients may be able to find some relief. Patients may be able to carry on simply by reducing their current routine and increasing blood flow to the brain, while others may need physical medicine and rehabilitation, speech therapy, occupational therapy, mental health care, social work and more.
Unfortunately, long-term medical care is expensive and time-consuming. Progress may take years of intensive work. Others may never approach their previous level of functioning again. This can take a significant financial and mental toll on caregivers, especially if the patient was a family breadwinner.
If you or a loved one have suffered a TBI as a result of someone else’s negligence or recklessness, the trusted accident lawyers at Goldman, Babboni, Fernandez, Murphy & Walsh in Bradenton, FL can help you recover compensation. Call us today to learn more.