Traumatic brain injuries can be life-changing for victims. The brain is an extremely complex organ that is still not fully understood. Injury to any part of the brain can have long-term or permanent consequences, including physical, emotional, cognitive, and behavioral effects. While many brain injuries heal completely, for some patients, the symptoms never fully subside.
Physical Impairments
The brain is responsible for controlling the way the body moves and balances, including both voluntary and involuntary muscle movements. A traumatic brain injury can affect motor function and a victim’s physical capabilities. A victim may experience a loss of balance and coordination, for example, or uncontrollable muscle spasticity.
A victim may also lose control of bodily functions, including bladder, bowel, and sexual dysfunction. Some patients can overcome or reverse the physical effects of a brain injury with treatments such as physical therapy and rehabilitation. Others, however, will experience long-term or irreversible physical disabilities.
Cognitive Challenges
Moderate to severe brain injuries can lead to lasting cognitive deficits, including trouble communicating and problem-solving. The cognitive effects and extent of the brain damage suffered will depend on the severity and location of the injury. Patients may experience short-term or long-term memory loss, trouble learning and remembering things, language loss, reduced motivation, trouble concentrating, and changes in social ability. In addition, research has linked moderate and severe brain injuries to a greater risk of cognitive decline and dementia later in life.
Personality and Behavioral Changes
Traumatic brain injuries can impact how a victim acts and behaves. The brain is responsible for the neurological processes that regulate feelings and behaviors. If these systems get disrupted by a brain injury, a victim’s personality could be altered. Behavioral changes may occur due to irritation related to problems with thinking skills and comprehension. Increased irritability and mood swings are the most common behavioral changes connected to traumatic brain injuries.
Post-Concussive Syndrome
The most common type of traumatic brain injury is a concussion. While the majority of mild concussions have symptoms that subside on their own within about two weeks, some patients experience post-concussive syndrome. This is when the symptoms of a traumatic brain injury last longer than average, such as dizziness, headaches, trouble concentrating, insomnia, and memory loss. For some patients, these symptoms may persist for several months or even years. This can be debilitating, interfering with a patient’s ability to work and enjoy daily activities.
Seek Financial Compensation for the Long-Term Consequences of a Traumatic Brain Injury
If you or a loved one was recently diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury after a preventable accident, the victim’s prognosis for recovery will depend on the specific circumstances, such as the severity of the injury, the location of the damage on the brain, and how well the patient responds to treatments. Unfortunately, many traumatic brain injuries inflict long-term and permanent symptoms.
If someone else’s negligence caused the accident, victims with traumatic brain injuries in Connecticut may be eligible for financial compensation for the full extent of their losses, including future foreseeable effects and estimated medical costs associated with a brain injury. For more information about seeking compensation for a traumatic brain injury, consult with a New Haven brain injury lawyer at Loughlin FitzGerald, P.C. We offer free case consultations.
