Brain injury is among the worst injuries you can sustain after an accident. For instance, head trauma may affect the brain and cause a host of cognitive and physical challenges that could affect the victim for the rest of their life. Brain injury victims may require lifetime care, particularly if the injury is traumatic, also called traumatic brain injury (TBI).
By now you know that caring for a brain injury survivor can be costly. That said, your loved one should be compensated if another person’s negligence is the cause of the injury and that’s why most people call a brain injury attorney in Bakersfield to help them receive the justice they deserve.
Traumatic Brain Injury Statistics
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) can be life-changing with lifelong consequences, meaning it’s a serious type of injury. The following are some statistics on brain injury, according to research conducted by the CDC:
- Approximately 50% of TBI survivors die within five years after initial treatment or rehabilitation;
- 22% of TBI patients did not improve even after rehabilitation, and only 26% of the survivors showed signs of improvement;
- The life expectancy of TBI survivors is cut short by nine years on average;
- TBI survivors are likely to experience seizures, serious infections, pneumonia, and other life-threatening ailments.
Effects of Traumatic Brain Injury
The severity of a brain injury determines the effects experienced by the victim. For instance, TBI survivors are likely to suffer long-term challenges emotional and relationship challenges besides struggling to lead independent lives. Even with proper rehabilitation and proper support, survivors are likely to encounter challenges resulting from their injuries in the future. The common challenges associated with brain injury can include:
- Behavioral Challenges
- Disinhibition
- Impulsiveness
- Obsessive behavior
- Irritability and aggression
- Apathy and loss of initiative
- Egocentricity (self-centeredness)
- Cognitive Challenges
- Memory problems
- Language loss (aphasia)
- Impairments in visual-perceptual skills
- Reduced initiative and problems with motivation
- Reduced concentration span
- Reduced information processing ability
- Repetition or ‘perseveration’
- Impaired reasoning
- Impaired insight and empathy
- Emotional Effects
- Personality changes
- Mood swings or ’emotional lability’
- Depression and sense of loss
- Anxiety
- Frustration and anger
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Other Effects of Brain Injury
This includes:
- Coma and reduced awareness;
- Speech disorder and communication challenges;
- Fatigue, post-traumatic amnesia, and hormonal imbalance;
Life Care Plan–– Why it’s Important
Brain injury typically affects many functions of the body, such as cognitive, behavioral, physical, and emotional functions. That said, most TBI treatment requires a holistic approach and that’s why the medical team for a TBI patient may involve different specialists, such as neurologists, endocrinologists, orthopedists, and psychiatrists.
Life care planning is an approach used to estimate future care costs for victims, survivors, or patients of catastrophic injuries or disabilities, such as traumatic brain injury. In other words, a life care planner comes up with an annual budget for the patient’s care and the components of the budget can include:
- Further medical expenses;
- Rehabilitation costs;
- Durable and disposable medical goods and supplies;
- Recreational and assistive equipment, and others.
Other services might TBI patients require?
Brain injury patients may require long-term care in most cases as aforementioned and this typically happens in nursing homes or rehabilitation centers that can provide specialized care for brain injury. Although brain treatment facilities may be expensive, they can provide quality treatment and rehabilitation for your loved one. Brain injury treatment facilities provide inpatient and outpatient services, including:
- Rehabilitative and customized treatment to suit the patient’s needs.
- Physical intervention to help low-consciousness patients build muscle tone;
- Family support services, such as counselling and being actively involved in the recovery process;
- Therapeutic services using speech therapy, music, and art therapy,
- Psychological services.
How can a TBI attorney help?
As mentioned over and over in this article, victims of moderate and severe brain injuries cannot survive if they’re not accorded proper medical care. TBI survivors should be given good care until they achieve full recovery.
A skilled, experienced and competent attorney understands the complexities of filing a reasonable brain injury claim. Why? First, every brain injury is unique and also, there’s no universal formula for calculating personal injury damages. However, you must be compensated even with all the complexities because the injury will likely impact your life in many ways. The damages you can claim for a traumatic brain injury can include:
- Current and future medical expenses;
- Lost wages and lost earning potential if you cannot work.
- Pain and suffering for physical pain and emotional distress;
- Expenses for physical, occupational therapy, and other related treatments related to the injury
- Loss of companionship, consortium, and enjoyment of life.
TBI survivors may require long-term care that may be costly, particularly if the injury is severe. Consequently, you should consult a legal professional specializing in brain injury claims and ensure your loved one is fairly compensated.
