What Are the Long-Term Effects of Serious Brain Injuries?

 Posted on November 30, 2020 in Brain Injury

Serious injuries can occur in a wide variety of situations, and in many cases, victims will be able to understand the immediate physical effects of their injuries and the impact this will have on their lives. However, some types of injuries are not always immediately obvious. Traumatic brain injuries are sometimes considered “invisible injuries,” since they cannot be easily observed, and their effects may not make themselves fully known for weeks or months after the injury occurred. 

Long-Term Complications of Traumatic Brain Injuries

Brain injuries can occur in a wide variety of different situations, ranging from car accidents, to slip and falls, to workplace accidents in which a person is struck by a falling object. Medical malpractice can also lead to brain injuries, such as when a doctor misdiagnoses a condition such as a blood clot that leads to damage to a patient’s brain.

In the immediate aftermath of a brain injury, a victim may experience symptoms such as loss of consciousness, headaches, dizziness, problems with balance and coordination, sensory issues, memory loss, or difficulty concentrating. In cases involving minor concussions, these symptoms may clear up over time with no permanent effects. However, moderate or severe brain injuries can have a permanent impact on a person’s health and well-being, leading to effects such as:

• Persistent headaches and other related issues, such as dizziness, vertigo, loss of coordination, or ringing in the ears.
• Sensory issues such as loss of vision or hearing, double vision, or altered ability to taste or smell.
• Cognitive issues, including problems forming memories, mood disorders such as depression or anxiety, irritability or other personality changes, confusion, concentration problems, or difficulty speaking or understanding language.
• Recurring seizures known as post-traumatic epilepsy.
• Paralysis in the facial muscles, difficulty swallowing, or loss of sensation in other parts of the body.
• Fluid buildup or hemorrhaging of blood in the brain, which can lead to strokes or additional brain damage.
• Infections of the tissue in and around the brain resulting from skull fractures or penetrative wounds.
• Temporary or permanent comas or vegetative state.
• Irreversible brain death.

Contact Our Palatine Brain Injury Attorneys

A serious brain injury can impact your life for years to come, and it can affect your ability to work, your enjoyment of time with your family and other activities, and your overall well-being. In some cases, traumatic brain injuries lead to wrongful death. When another person or company was responsible for a brain injury, you should be sure to understand your options for receiving financial compensation that addresses your damages. At Newland & Newland, LLP, we can work with you to make sure you are compensated for your medical expenses, loss of income, and pain and suffering. To learn more about how we can help with your case, contact our Arlington Heights traumatic brain injury lawyers at 847-797-8000 and arrange a free consultation.

Sources:

https://www.aans.org/Patients/Neurosurgical-Conditions-and-Treatments/Traumatic-Brain-Injury

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/traumatic-brain-injury/symptoms-causes/syc-20378557