The results of an accident can last a lifetime. A traumatic brain injury (TBI) drastically changes a person in many ways and deeply impacts their lifestyle and relationships. When you suffer a TBI, recovery isn’t just about immediate improvement. TBI recovery is about relearning your life and adjusting everything to accommodate the side effects of such an injury.
What Are the Symptoms of TBI?
Depending on which region of the brain was injured, both short and long-term symptoms will vary. However, many common results of a TBI include headaches and dizziness, emotional imbalances, excessive fatigue, irritability, depression, and more.
It’s extremely stressful for someone to recover from a TBI because they simply don’t just “get better.” They don’t just wake up one morning and suddenly feel recovered. Even after they’re discharged from the hospital, a TBI patient can have years of brain injury recovery ahead that will require changes across every facet of their lives.
Social Impacts
After a traumatic brain injury, many people who were once social can’t handle lots of noise, fast conversations or crowds. Their brains don’t process sensory input the same way anymore, and it’s easy for them to get overwhelmed.
Emotional flooding is a typical response exhibited by TBI patients. As the brain is healing, there are neurocognitive differences that can cause a person’s emotions to radically shift seemingly without warning. The psychological effects of a traumatic brain injury can lead to a rush of intense emotions that can manifest as an angry outburst, uncontrollable crying or even a panic attack.
People with traumatic brain injuries must take things slowly, be careful not to overstimulate themselves and be surrounded by people who understand that their reactions may not always make sense and assure them that it’s okay. Working with a neurologist and psychiatrist can help patients develop new coping skills that will aid them throughout recovery.
Legal Options for People with Traumatic Brain Injuries
Due to the emotional damage, medical costs and other fees incurred as a result of an accident, talking to a traumatic brain injury attorney is a good idea. A good traumatic brain injury lawyer can help you determine exactly what happened, who’s at fault and how much compensation you deserve.
A traumatic brain injury attorney would be classified as a personal injury lawyer. Speaking with a legal professional as soon as possible is the best way to guarantee your case can be taken to court. Every state has its own statute of limitations, which is the allotted amount of time that can pass between an accident and filing a lawsuit. If you surpass this statute, you won’t be eligible to sue any responsible parties for your injury and damages sustained.
How to Find a Good Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyer
Although you want to file a claim and address your injury as soon as possible, it’s important to speak to several local lawyers and ask them how they’d handle the case. You can get several quotes for their fees, see how they compare, and ask them questions pertaining to your case, information regarding it and their general process.
Recovery is a Day at a Time
After a brain injury, patients need to reduce the stress in their lives and downsize their to-do list. Although they may be up and active, adjustment and recovery take time. It’s important to bring in others who can help make everyday life more manageable. Relying on loved ones, caretakers and a respected team of professionals will help eliminate any unnecessary additional difficulties and allow patients to heal as quickly and smoothly as possible.
