How a Brain Injury Can Change Your Life

Mar 28, 2020

There are different degrees of brain injuries – mild brain injuries often clear up within a few weeks, while the effects of a moderate to severe brain injury can last for years or can be permanent. If you sustained a severe brain injury, your life can be permanently disrupted, and the financial losses can add up quickly and continue indefinitely. It is important to discuss the possibility of a legal claim with an Indiana personal injury attorney as soon as possible.

Treatment for a Serious Brain Injury

Brain injuries can happen in many ways, but they have one thing in common – victims need immediate medical assistance. Often, serious brain injuries render a victim unconscious for a period of time, which could be a few minutes, hours, days, or longer. Victims should be transported to receive emergency treatment, which includes diagnostic tests and an assessment of the seriousness of the injury.

Next, brain injury patients might need the following and more:

Hospitalization
Intensive care if they are still in a coma
Surgery to insert an intracranial pressure monitor
Surgery to drain fluid or stop hemorrhaging
Surgery to remove part of the skull to account for brain swelling
Stays in a rehabilitative center
Occupational therapy
Physical therapy
Speech therapy

Many brain injury patients require ongoing check-ups, therapy, and medical care for years or for the rest of their lives. The medical bills that result are only one type of loss that victims will face.

Long-term Effects of a Brain Injury

Brain injuries impact each victim in a unique manner, and the specific effects will vary depending on which part of the brain suffered damage. Some lasting effects of severe brain injuries can include:

Cognitive impairments, including difficulty with verbal or written communication, following directions, reading, timed tasks, and more.
Physical impairments, such as being off-balance, limping, slurring speech, or having coordination issues.
Behavioral and emotional problems, including mood disorders, lack of anger management, or changes in personality.

In some cases, impairments will make it impossible for victims to return to work, and they might need to find a lesser-paying job or rely on disability benefits. They also might not be able to participate in their past activities, and their daily life might change significantly.

Recovering Financially After a Brain Injury

Brain injuries can happen in many incidents caused by another person or party, including:

Vehicle accidents
Bicycle or pedestrian accidents
Falls
Assaults
Workplace accidents

If another party caused your brain injury, you should seek help in obtaining the compensation you deserve for your losses. Losses can be extensive in claims stemming from catastrophic injuries, and the following are some losses for which you might recover:

Past and future medical bills
Lost wages and lost earning ability
Pain and suffering
Permanent disabilities

Speak with an Indiana Personal Injury Lawyer about Your Legal Rights

After an injury, the legal team at Tanzillo, Stassin & Babcock, P.C., is ready to help. Please contact us to have someone from our firm evaluate your legal options for free today.