What to Expect After Suffering a TBI
If you or somebody you care about has sustained a traumatic brain injury (TBI), then you need to know what to expect. Traumatic brain injuries range in severity and can lead to significant short- and long-term disabilities. It is not uncommon for brain injury victims to sustain significant monetary losses due to medical expenses and a loss of income. Brain injury victims are also often unable to enjoy the same daily activities they were once able to. Here, our brain injury lawyers want to shed some light on what you can expect if you or somebody you love has sustained a TBI.
Short-Term Effects of a Traumatic Brain Injury
The short-term effects of a traumatic brain injury often occur before someone even knows they have been seriously harmed. It is vital that any person who sustains a blow to the head seek medical attention quickly, even if they do not have any immediately apparent symptoms. However, if you notice any of these short-term symptoms develop anytime, make sure the person is medically evaluated as soon as possible:
- Headaches that get worse and do not go away
- Decreased coordination, numbness, or weakness
- Repeated nausea and vomiting
- Slurred speech
- Drowsiness or an inability to wake up
- One pupil larger than the other
- Seizures or convulsions
- Inability to recognize people or places
- Unusual behavior
- Loss of consciousness
Children who have sustained a TBI could display any of those symptoms. Additionally, if a child will not stop crying or is inconsolable, or refuses to nurse or eat, this could be a sign that they have sustained a traumatic brain injury.
Long-Term Effects of a Traumatic Brain Injury
The potential long-term effects of a traumatic brain injury on a victim can range from mild to severe. Often, a TBI can affect the following:
- Thinking. This can include a person suffering from significant problems with their memory as well as their ability to reason.
- Sensation. This can include the loss of a TBI victim’s motor functioning and senses. This could manifest in complete or partial paralysis, an inability to grasp items, and more. This could also include a loss of sight, smell, and taste.
- Language. This can include a victim having trouble communicating, expressing themselves, and even understanding language.
- Emotion. This can include a traumatic brain injury victim suffering from depression, anxiety, and significant personality changes. Often, this manifests in aggression, acting out, or socially inappropriate behavior.
The short- and long-term effects of a traumatic brain injury will vary widely depending on the severity of the initial injury, how quickly a person was able to receive medical care, and the effectiveness of physical therapy and rehabilitation.
Will a Lawsuit Be Necessary?
If you or somebody you love has sustained a traumatic brain injury caused by the careless or negligent actions of another person, it may be necessary to file a personal injury lawsuit in order to recover compensation. These cases can become incredibly complicated, which is why you should turn to a skilled and compassionate Sacramento personal injury attorney for help. An attorney will be able to assess your case and help you decide whether or not to move forward with a lawsuit against the alleged negligent party.
You could be entitled to significant compensation for your injuries, including coverage of your medical bills, lost wages, general household out-of-pocket expenses, pain and suffering damages, and more. This compensation can help you and your family as you begin to deal with the effects of the TBI on your lives.