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One of the most common causes of a TBI is auto accidents. According to the CDC, there are more than 5 million Americans with TBI-related disabilities and many of them endured these injuries in vehicle accidents.
What should you know about TBI injuries?
In addition to the physical and emotional trauma associated with TBI, there is also a high cost of medical care. These injuries can often require ongoing healthcare and rehabilitation, all of which cost a great deal of money.
Many people who have experienced TBI and the aftermath are eligible to file legal claims. Compensation for a traumatic brain injury can ease the financial burden of ongoing medical care, supplement lost wages, and relieve the pain and suffering someone with this type of injury must endure.
What is a Traumatic Brain Injury?
TBI can occur when someone experiences a blow to the head or neck. In addition to motor vehicle accidents, these types of injuries also occur frequently in sports and from falls. Repeated minor impacts, which can seem inconsequential, can also lead to a lifetime of disability.
Is a concussion the same as a TBI?
Most doctors consider a concussion a mild TBI. The initial effects of TBI and a concussion are much the same and include:
- Changes in vision
- Nausea and vomiting
- Confused
- Drowsiness
- Losing time
- Hard to arouse
- Headache
- Loss of consciousness
- Amnesia
For many, though, TBI symptoms are more complex and last long after the initial concussion symptoms fade. You can learn more about the relationship between TBI and concussions here.
How TBI Changes Your Life
Every TBI injury is different. No two people are exactly alike and when their brains are injured, it affects them in different ways. Some of the most common issues people experience with a TBI include:
- Changes in memory or focus
- Weakness
- Issues with balance and coordination
- Sensory difficulties
- Emotional problems, including issues with impulse control, anxiety, depression, and overall personality changes
TBI also increases a person’s risk of epilepsy, Alzheimer’s disease, and Parkinson’s disease.
TBI Dramatically Affects Your Quality of Life
Many people with TBI find the injury affects every aspect of their lives. Their relationships change forever because they struggle to control or express their emotions after the injury. Some people behave more aggressively or experience severe mood swings that cause discomfort for others. Loved ones must understand that the changes are because of TBI, but this doesn’t make things any easier to deal with.
People with TBI often describe life as an emotional roller coaster, made even more difficult because their loved ones must also deal with significant changes.
How Do I Know My Head Injury is a TBI?
If you or a loved one suffered a head injury, and experience any of the following symptoms, you should speak to your doctor about TBI:
- Dramatic mood swings
- Verbal or physical outbursts
- Impulsive behavior
- Poor judgment
- Inflexibility or intolerance
- Lack of empathy
- Lack of motivation
- Depression
- Any personality changes that are out of character and developed after the event.
The cost of treating and managing TBI can be astronomical. Long-term rehabilitation might be necessary. Treatment and support for a TBI injury can take months and cost up to $1000 a day or more. In some cases, injuries are permanent and require lifelong care.
It’s impossible to put a price tag on what you’ve because of a TBI injury. But it is possible to recoup the cost of medical care, lost wages, and more. If you or a loved one were involved in an accident that resulted in a TBI, we can help. Contact Lyons Gaddis in Longmont at (303) 776-9900 or in Louisville at (720) 726-3670 to speak to someone about your situation or to schedule a free consultation to evaluate your case.
