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When you think of the brain as the control room for your body, it is easy to understand that a traumatic brain injury (TBI) from an accident could have long-term effects. Some of them do not show up immediately. Also, a person will likely suffer more long-term effects after a severe TBI like a skull fracture than a person would with a mild concussion.
If you are suffering long-term effects of traumatic brain injury after an accident, you will want to talk to a New Jersey car accident attorney. We can help you with your personal injury claim or lawsuit against the party who harmed you.
Severe Long-Term Effects from Traumatic Brain Injury
After suffering a severe TBI from an accident, the injured person might experience physical impairments, sleep disturbances, depression, cognitive impairments, and challenges with problem-solving, according to the University of Utah Health Center. Specific complications can include:
- Seizures
- Headaches
- Visual changes
- Paralysis
- Reduced language skills
- Mood swings
- Fatigue
- Memory loss
- Dizziness
- Balance problems
The severity of the traumatic brain injury is not the only factor in what types of long-term challenges a person might experience after an accident.
How the Location of the TBI Impacts the Long-Term Complications
The portion of the brain where the injury occurred can control what specific types of long-term effects a person might develop after a traumatic brain injury from an accident.
- If the injury was to the right side of the brain, the person might have difficulty processing visual information. Also, they might lose the ability to perform tasks they performed routinely before the injury. For example, they might be able to identify a house key, but not understand how to use it.
- Trauma to the forehead area, the location of the frontal lobe, could disrupt the ability to solve problems, exercise judgment or impulse control, and engage in planning activities or tasks that require reasoning. A person with frontal lobe damage might engage in inappropriate or risky behaviors.
- If a person suffers trauma to the left side of the brain, their speech and language abilities might be impacted. They might have difficulty talking or understanding what other people say. Also, the left side of the brain controls a person’s ability to use logic.
This is a brief overview of what each of these sections of the brain controls. There are many additional things that the brain controls, like the ability to walk, eat, recognize friends or relatives, and many other functions.
Monetary Damages for a TBI from an Accident
If your traumatic brain injury was the result of an accident that was not your fault, you might be able to pursue compensation from the negligent party who caused the accident. Some of the common categories of money damages in these cases include:
- Medical bills from your initial and ongoing medical treatment, including physical therapy, speech therapy, vocational therapy, and occupational therapy.
- Past and future lost wages. If you did not get paid your regular income when you were recuperating from the traumatic brain injury, this financial loss can be included in your injury claim. Also, if your long-term effects from the TBI make you unable to earn as much money as before, your decreased earning ability can be a part of your claim.
- Pain and suffering for the physical discomfort, emotional distress, and inconvenience you have experienced because of the accident and your injuries.
- Additional compensation for long-term impairment you develop because of your brain injury.
A New Jersey personal injury attorney can help you go after the compensation you deserve. We offer a free initial consultation with no obligation. Get in touch with our office today.