South Florida Injury Attorneys Blog
Most patients who suffer from a traumatic brain injury (TBI) recover quickly and show no lasting symptoms.
Ranging from mild to moderate or severe, traumatic brain injuries (TBI) vary in severity. The long-term effects of mild and moderate TBIs are usually mild, and the patient may even be able to recover fully.
When the brain sustains a severe injury, it can cause problems with sensory perception, speech, and emotions. It can also lead to various cognitive or social consequences. The signs and symptoms of a TBI may persist for long spells depending on the severity of the injuries.
A medical professional can help you determine whether you are suffering from the long-term effects of a TBI.
Irrespective of the severity of the injury, you may be eligible for compensation if you or someone you know has suffered a TBI because of the negligence of another party. An experienced Port St Lucie brain injury lawyer can help you seek fair compensation for your injuries and damages.
Keep reading to learn more about the effects of traumatic brain injuries and treatment.
What Is a Traumatic Brain Injury?
A traumatic brain injury is a brain injury caused by an external source. The brain sustains damage and fails to perform normally after the injury. TBIs usually result from violent blows or jolts to the head. Sometimes objects like bullets can penetrate the brain tissue causing a TBI.
Mild TBIs often affect the brain cells temporarily, while severe ones can lead to physical brain damage.
Some of the primary causes of traumatic brain injuries include:
- Slip and fall accidents
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Violent crimes
- Sports injuries
- Combat injuries
Signs of a TBI
Traumatic brain injuries can have a broad range of physical and psychological effects. Some signs are apparent immediately, while others may appear after many days or weeks.
Below are the most common signs of a TBI:
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Nausea and vomiting
- Speech problems
- Loss of balance
- Sensory issues like blurred vision and ringing ears
- Loss of consciousness
- Memory problems
- Confusion
- Depression
- Change in sleeping patterns
- Mood swings
- Slurred speech
- Coma
It is best to see a doctor immediately after any blow to the head to determine whether you have a brain injury.
Long-Term Effects of Traumatic Brain Injuries
Traumatic brain injuries have a wide range of long-term effects. Symptoms are often classified as physical, cognitive, sensory, communication, or social effects:
Physical Effects
Physical consequences of traumatic brain injury can persist for weeks or even months. They may include:
- Headaches
- Seizures
- Abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid, which raises intracranial pressure and causes brain swelling
- Vertigo
- Infections or damage to blood vessels
Sensory Issues
Long-term sensory associated with traumatic brain injuries include
- Loss of senses like smell, taste, hearing, sight
- Paralysis of the face
- Swallowing problems
- Disorientation
- Difficulty maintaining balance
- Persistent ear ringing, often known as tinnitus
Intellectual and Cognitive Problems
Severe traumatic brain injury survivors may have a permanent change in their thinking ability. This can usually involve the following:
- Ability to recall information
- Capacity for learning new things
- Reasoning and judgment skills
- Attention deficit
- Competence in solving problems and organization
- Multitasking ability
- Planning and decision-making skills
Communication Difficulties
Speech, language, and communication problems may persist after a traumatic brain injury. Frustration, social tension, and misunderstandings can result from these health problems, especially between the victim and those they frequently contact, such as friends, family, and care providers.
Some signs of a communication problem include:
- Difficulty in forming complete thoughts or articulating them coherently
- Difficulty in grasping the perspectives of others
- Difficulty in identifying or recognizing other people
- Speech problems
- Lack of clarity caused by mental fogginess
- Not being able to keep up in a conversation
Emotional Challenges
TBI can lead to severe emotional problems like:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Mood changes
- Agitation
- Aggressiveness
- Insomnia
Degenerative Brain Diseases
People who sustain many TBIs may be at a higher risk of getting neurodegenerative disorders. These disorders include Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and other kinds of dementia.
Can You Fully Recover After a TBI?
Yes. However, full recovery depends on the severity of the brain injury and health of the victim.
In the early recovery phases, one may lose consciousness. This is just because they could have had swelling, bleeding, or changes in brain chemistry after suffering their injury, and consequently, the function of their healthy brain tissue is likely to be compromised.
Some people may go into a coma, vegetative, or minimally conscious state. If your loved one has sustained a brain injury, it can seem alarming, but this is part of the recovery process for a brain injury.
Because of post-traumatic amnesia, brain injury victims may feel disoriented and have memory problems. During this stage of recovery, a person with a brain injury is likely to have difficulty remembering information and paying attention.
A brain injury victim may feel anxious, agitated, restless, and easily frustrated. This can be highly unsettling for family members and loved ones to observe since their loved one who has suffered brain damage is suddenly behaving strangely.
Recovery from a TBI can be really challenging. But a person can fully recover from a traumatic brain injury, depending on some factors.
Recovery is more common than a lot of people imagine. If a person is going to achieve a full recovery, it will be visible in the first six months after a person has sustained brain damage. This is because the fastest progress usually comes within the first six months.
It is unclear why some people can fully recover and others don’t. Therefore, people must protect their brains after a TBI to increase the chance of recovery. You can preserve the health of your brain by exercising and avoiding alcohol and other drugs.
Contact a Seasoned Brain Injury Lawyer in Port St Lucie, Florida
If you or a loved one has sustained a traumatic brain injury or exhibits any of the symptoms associated with a traumatic brain injury, Frankl Kominsky Injury Lawyers can help you seek compensation.
We will file a personal injury claim against any negligent parties contributing to your injuries or health problems. Throughout the process, our team will:
- Update on case progress
- Identify the responsible parties.
- Handle legal correspondence
- Collect evidence
- Determine the value of your claim
Call us today at (561) 800-8000 or fill in the online contact form on our website to schedule a free consultation.