The Long-Term Effects of a Brain Injury
According to the Minnesota Department of Health, over 100,000 Minnesotans are currently living with traumatic brain injury-related disabilities. Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) have the ability to change a person’s life in an instant, but far too many Minnesotans are unaware of the laundry list of risks associated with these medical events. Whether caused by a car accident, fall, sports injury or violent incident, TBIs can have lasting physical, emotional, and cognitive effects on survivors of all backgrounds and abilities.
If you or a loved one has suffered a brain injury due to someone else’s negligence, it’s critical to understand the long-term challenges associated with these injuries, as well as the legal options available to help you meet those challenges head-on. Let’s cover the long-term implications of traumatic brain injuries and explore how a personal injury attorney can help TBI survivors fight for their rights.
What is a traumatic brain injury?
A traumatic brain injury or TBI typically occurs when a sudden jolt, blow or penetrating injury to the head disrupts normal brain function. As per the Minnesota Department of Health, TBIs are generally classified into 3 categories:
- Mild TBI (concussion): Often involves brief loss of consciousness and/or temporary changes in mental status or cognition.
- Moderate TBI: May result in extended unconsciousness (30 minutes to 24 hours), memory loss and other pronounced cognitive changes.
- Severe TBI: Can involve extended periods of unconsciousness like coma, as well as long-lasting amnesia and even permanent brain damage.
Many of us are familiar with mild TBIs in the form of concussion, but it’s important to note that even “mild” TBIs can have serious effects that linger for months or even years. That’s why early intervention, proper diagnosis and ongoing medical evaluation are crucial to ensuring TBI survivors make a full recovery.
Who is at risk for TBIs?
The short answer? Anyone can fall victim to a traumatic brain injury under certain circumstances. Car accidents, falls and certain types of physical activity can all put people at risk of suffering a traumatic brain injury that will require medical intervention. To get more specific, however, there are some individuals who may be at an elevated risk of incurring a traumatic brain injury, including:
- Athletes
- Children and adolescents
- Older adults
- Military personnel
- People with a history of substance abuse
- Individuals with a history of domestic violence
Interestingly, research indicates that males of all ages are at a greater risk of TBI than their female counterparts so it’s important for men to refrain from underplaying or ignoring any incidents involving trauma to the head or potentially TBI-related symptoms thereafter.
Additionally, brain injury data in Minnesota suggests that the elderly make up the largest proportion of TBI hospitalizations within the state. That’s why it’s so important for older Minnesotans and their caregivers to take steps to mitigate risks related to slip and fall accidents or other potential sources of head trauma within the environment.
It’s also important to note that the number of brain injuries reported in Minnesota tends to increase during the winter months due to weather-related hazards. Not only do slip and fall accidents happen more easily in snowy and icy conditions, but car accidents can also become more common (and dangerous) during this time. Staying weather-aware can help you further mitigate risk and protect yourself from the life-altering effects of a traumatic brain injury.
What are the long-term effects of a brain injury?
It’s hard to overstate just how integral a healthy brain is to humans’ health and happiness. The brain controls nearly every function in the human body, which is why brain injuries can affect virtually every area of a person’s life. Here are some of the most commonly reported long-term effects of traumatic brain injuries:
1. Cognitive impairments
Cognitive changes are among the most commonly reported long-term effects of brain injuries of all severity levels. These cognitive impairments may include changes in memory, difficulty concentrating, slowed thinking or decision making, and problems with language and communications. These cognitive changes can make it difficult for TBI survivors to return to their “normal” lives after their injuries.
2. Emotional and behavioral changes
Our brains don’t just tell us what to do – they also tell us how to feel. Subsequently, brain injuries can often lead to emotional and behavioral symptoms that may be difficult to manage. TBI survivors may find themselves struggling with mood swings or irritability, increased levels of anxiety or depression, new or increased impulsivity and overall difficulty regulating their emotions. All of these changes can impact survivors’ relationships with friends, partners, employers and coworkers and serve as another source of strain following an accident.
3. Physical complications
The physical symptoms of a brain injury may persist long after the initial trauma. Common long-term physical effects may include:
- Chronic headaches or migraines
- Dizziness or balance issues
- Fatigue
- Sleep disturbances
- Vision changes
- Tinnitus
- Light and/or sound sensitivity
- Seizures
These physical challenges can make it difficult for TBI survivors to participate in daily activities or maintain previous levels of independence without compromising their comfort or overall well-being.
The lifetime costs of a TBI
TBIs can vary significantly in severity and may present different challenges for survivors and their families. Between emergency medical bills directly related to an accident, many TBI survivors go on to incur additional medical costs associated with long-term care and rehabilitation. Additionally, many TBI survivors find themselves unable to work immediately after a traumatic accident, and some may even remain unable to work for extended periods of time.
All of these costs add up over time, leaving many TBI sufferers and their families struggling professionally, personally and financially. While it can be difficult to put an exact price tag on TBI recovery due to the varied symptom presentation associated with the condition, studies indicate that the average cost is over $87,000, and lifetime expenses can add up to hundreds of thousands or more. This data further underscores the pressing need for TBI victims to pursue compensation for their injuries in cases where their TBI occurred as the result of another person’s negligence or recklessness.
How a Minnesota brain injury attorney can ease the burden
In brain injury cases involving negligence, an experienced personal injury attorney can help TBI survivors fight for compensatory damages to ease the financial, personal and emotional strain associated with their injuries.
An experienced brain injury lawyer can:
1. Compile evidence
Accurate documentation and a robust assortment of other evidence can all play a crucial role in proving liability in personal injury cases. A personal injury attorney who specializes in brain injury cases can help clients identify and secure physical evidence, witness statements, medical records, police reports and other kinds of documentation related to a case. All of these pieces of evidence can work together to support a plaintiff’s claims about liability and shield against inaccurate or misleading statements made by at-fault parties or their representatives.
2. Build a case for negligence
As we’ve already discussed, in order to recover injury-related compensation in Minnesota, you must prove that someone else’s negligence caused your brain injury. An experienced lawyer will help determine whether you have a solid case for compensation and advise you of how to go about proving that the negligence of another party caused your TBI. Brain injury lawyers understand the high bar of evidence that is often required in these cases and can handle your case from end-to-end to help you secure a more favorable outcome.
3. Calculate long-term damages
Experienced brain injury attorneys understand how costly TBIs can be and have a sense for how much compensation would make sense based on the facts of a particular case. Your lawyer will take into account all of your past, present and future medical expenses, in addition to your lost income, emotional pain and overall loss of enjoyment in life when helping to determine an appropriate settlement amount in your case. With the help of economists or life care planners, your attorney can estimate the true value of your damages and demand commensurate compensation from the other party.
Final thoughts
Even if a TBI appears to be “mild,” many survivors go on to experience long-term harm as the result of their injuries, so taking swift and effective action is the best way for injured parties to ensure their future financial security. In Minnesota, accident victims generally have six years to file a personal injury claim, so even if you did not immediately notice the effects of your TBI, you may still be able to file a claim.
At Bradshaw & Bryant, PLLC, we understand the nuances and complexities that are commonly associated with TBI cases. However, we also understand the life-changing nature of these injuries and are dedicated to dodging any legal curveballs that may be preventing TBI survivors from collecting the compensation they need to support their recovery.
If you or a loved one has suffered a brain injury, give us a call today for a free case evaluation. We would love to learn more about you, your case and your goals for the future in order to set you on a path towards legal success.