The long-term effects of Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs) can be devastating, both physically and financially. If you or a loved one have suffered any type of head injury due to an accident or fall, you may have suffered a TBI that can lead to long-term physical and financial hardships. If so, you will need an experienced personal injury lawyer who understands the impact of TBIs and their long-term financial consequences so you can obtain maximum compensation for your injuries.
TBIs are not like any other injuries. They are complicated and unpredictable, and they can affect every aspect of your life. If you have experienced a TBI, we know you have many questions. In this article, we offer a comprehensive overview of the long-term effects of TBIs and answer your questions about:
- What a TBI is;
- The prevalence of TBIs;
- The common causes of TBIs;
- The short- and long-term effects of TBIs;
- What to expect when recovering from a TBI; and
- What you should do if you experience a TBI.
To learn more about obtaining financial compensation for a TBI in your specific case, contact the Kansas City traumatic brain injury lawyers at Foster Wallace, LLC. We will assess your case and advise on the best way to recover financially for your injuries.
What Is a Traumatic Brain Injury?
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The National Institute of Health defines a TBI as any brain injury that is caused by an outside force, such as a bump, jolt, or impact to the head or body (called a “nonpenetrating,” “blunt,” or “closed” TBI), or from a foreign object entering the brain (called a “penetrating” or “open” TBI). Both forms of TBI can vary in degree, ranging from moderate to severe, depending on the nature of the impact and the location of the damage to the brain. For example:
- Damage to the front of the brain (the frontal lobe) can affect a person’s behavior;
- An injury to the left side of the brain can affect logic, speech, and cognition; and
- Trauma to the right side of the brain can impact vision and motor skills (apraxia).
A moderate TBI may have a brief or short-term effect on brain function and may temporarily affect how a person thinks, remembers, communicates, or acts. However, a severe TBI can result in long-term or permanent disability or even death. In either case, the effects of a TBI can occur immediately upon impact (these are called primary effects), or the effects of a TBI may be delayed for several hours, days, or even weeks (these are referred to as secondary effects).
Because the secondary effects of a TBI can be just as devastating as the more immediate, primary effects of a TBI, it is important that your TBI is diagnosed and treated as soon as possible.
How Prevalent Are Traumatic Brain Injuries?
According to the International Brain Injury Association, TBI is one of the leading causes of death and permanent disability in the United States and in the world. TBI is also the leading cause of seizure disorders. Every year, in the United States alone:
- About 2.8 million Americans sustain a TBI;
- One million Americans are treated in hospital emergency rooms for TBIs and are subsequently released;
- Approximately 230,000 people are hospitalized because of their TBIs and survive their injuries;
- An estimated 80,000 people are discharged from the hospital with some form of disability related to their TBI;
- Approximately 5.3 million Americans (1 in 60 people) live with a TBI-related disability; and
- As many as 50,000 people die each year from a TBI;
- In 2021, there were 69,473 TBI-related deaths.
Despite these staggering figures, some studies reveal that hospital emergency rooms miss a TBI diagnosis 80% of the time, suggesting that TBI injuries are much more prevalent than the numbers suggest.
Some groups have an increased risk of suffering a TBI and experiencing long-term disability or death as a result. For example:
- Males are twice as likely to be hospitalized and three times more likely to die from a TBI than females;
- The highest rate of TBI occurs in the age group of 15-24;
- Toddlers (under age 5) and elderly adults (over age 75) are at a high risk of experiencing a TBI because of the increased likelihood of falls;
- Elderly persons over age 75 account for about 32% of TBI-related hospitalizations and 28% of TBI-related deaths;
- Other groups at increased risk of TBI include:
- Athletes;
- Car accident victims;
- Service members and veterans; and
- Survivors of intimate partner violence.
What Are the Common Causes of Traumatic Brain Injuries?
The most common causes of TBI are:
- Slip and falls;
- Car accidents;
- Sports injuries;
- External blasts; or
- Being struck by a foreign object.
Motor vehicle crashes, including car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle crashes, bicycle accidents, and pedestrian collisions, account for about 50% of all TBI injuries. Falls are the leading cause of TBIs in persons aged 65 years and older and about 50% of all TBI-related hospitalizations. Sports-related brain injuries account for approximately 300,000 TBIs each year.
What Are the Long-Term Effects of a Traumatic Brain Injury?
There are many common signs of a TBI. Whether your TBI is moderate or severe, you may experience immediate symptoms of a TBI, such as:
- Headache;
- Dizziness;
- Confusion;
- Sensitivity to light or noise; and
- Fatigue.
These symptoms may indicate a moderate brain injury, such as a concussion, and may resolve quickly. However, with more severe or long-term injuries, secondary symptoms, like frustration, irritability, apathy, impulsivity, and emotional instability may occur gradually and continue over time.
More serious brain injuries that often have long-term consequences may result in any of the following symptoms:
- Blurred vision;
- Ringing in the ears;
- Dilated pupils;
- Convulsions or seizures;
- Nausea and vomiting;
- Slurred speech;
- Weakness of the extremities (arms, legs, or face);
- Loss of balance or coordination;
- Paralysis;
- Inability to concentrate;
- Change in sleep patterns;
- Loss of memory;
- Loss of consciousness; and
- Mood swings, depression, or unusual behavior.
If you experience any of these symptoms, especially within the first 24 hours after an accident or fall, you should seek immediate medical attention. If untreated, even a moderate TBI can lead to long-term disability and may require extended medical treatment and rehabilitation.
In addition to the long-term physical effects, a TBI can have devastating long-term financial consequences. Especially when a TBI results in long-term injury or disability, you may experience:
- Long-term medical expenses;
- Extended rehabilitation;
- Loss of income;
- Lost wages;
- Permanent disability; or
- The need for long-term care.
The overall cost associated with non-fatal TBIs is estimated to be $40.6 billion annually. However, the most significant financial impact of a TBI occurs in the first year after a low to moderate TBI. This means that although severe TBIs may result in the most significant damages, the persons most financially affected by TBI injuries are persons who suffer moderate but long-term symptoms after a non-fatal accident or fall. For the average TBI victim, this can be a heavy financial burden, regardless of the severity of your injuries.
Can I Recover from a Traumatic Brain Injury?
Although many TBIs result in fatality or permanent disability, most TBIs are treatable and recoverable, even if recovery may be long-term. If a TBI is diagnosed early, and depending on the nature of the injury, treatment may include:
- Physical therapy;
- Occupational therapy;
- Speech therapy;
- Psychological counseling;
- Cognitive rehabilitation; and
- Social services.
Although physical recovery can be difficult, frustrating, and even painful, it can be temporary. Full or substantial physical recovery is almost always possible. For many TBI victims, however, the costs associated with recovery can be insurmountable. Often, the only way to recover financially from the long-term effects of a TBI is to seek compensation from the person responsible for your injuries. For this, you need an experienced brain injury lawyer who can help you obtain full compensation for your injuries.
What Should I Do If I Suffer a Traumatic Brain Injury?
If you have suffered a TBI as a result of an accident or injury and want to obtain compensation for your injuries, there is help available. A qualified personal injury lawyer with experience in brain injury cases can help you file a legal claim against the person responsible for causing your injuries. To be successful, however, there are certain things you should do:
- Seek immediate medical attention. Remember that a TBI may not reveal symptoms until days or even weeks after your accident. If you suspect you have sustained even a minor brain injury in an accident, or if you experience any of the symptoms described in this article, seek medical attention immediately. To receive compensation for your injuries, you must have a proper medical diagnosis of a TBI. The longer you wait to seek an evaluation or treatment, the more difficult it will be to prove your case.
- Keep meticulous records. If you are diagnosed with a TBI and receive any medical attention or treatment, keep a full account of your medical records and expenses. Your attorney will not only need to prove fault, but he or she will need to prove the nature and value of your injuries. Any records or documents related to your injuries will be necessary evidence in your case.
- Do not settle your case with the insurance company without legal representation. Because the costs associated with a TBI can be significant, you may be tempted to accept the first settlement offer provided by the insurance company. This is understandable. But before you accept any settlement offer, let an experienced personal injury lawyer advise you on the value of your case.
The insurance company will not have your best interest in mind. It will seek to deny your claim or settle your claim for much less than the compensation you deserve. You need an experienced lawyer who knows how to negotiate with insurance companies to make sure your rights and interests are protected when settling your claim.
- Contact the brain injury lawyers at Foster Wallace, LLC. The brain injury lawyers at Foster Wallace, LLC, have over 50 years of experience dealing with insurance companies and helping TBI victims like you to receive the maximum compensation they deserve for their injuries. We understand the long-term effects of TBIs and how recovery can impact your life, physically and financially.
From the start of your case, we will help you to:
- Prove fault;
- Collect relevant evidence;
- Secure proper medical records;
- Prove your injuries;
- Value your damages;
- File a proper and timely claim;
- Deal with insurance adjusters;
- Negotiate a fair settlement; and, if necessary,
- Prepare for trial;
- Present expert testimony; and
- Obtain a maximum award for damages.
Foster Wallace Will Help You Recover Financially from Your TBI
A traumatic brain injury can be life-altering. At Foster Wallace Personal Injury Lawyers we understand how difficult recovering from a TBI can be. We have helped many clients who have confronted the long-term effects of a TBI and have fought their way back to a normal way of life after a serious accident. We want to help you in that fight.
We will support your physical recovery with personal and professional care and help you to present an accurate medical history of your case. We know that providing honest, effective, and comprehensive legal services and working tirelessly to obtain full compensation for your injuries is the best way to help you focus on your full physical recovery. Call us today at 816-439-8665, and let us assist you in your physical and financial TBI recovery.
