Severe head injuries often prove fatal. For those who do survive, the long-term effect of traumatic brain injury (TBI) may last for the rest of their lives. It is a significant cause of death and disability in the United States. According to the CDC, 166 Americans die each day. Complete recovery is not always possible. Some accident victims may improve, but they will never return to 100 percent.
Most TBIs result from motor vehicle accidents, slips, and falls, or assaults involving a blow to the head. If another party was responsible or partly responsible for the injury through negligence or deliberate actions, contact a Los Angeles serious injury attorney at Salamati Law. We will work hard to hold them accountable so that you may receive the compensation you deserve for this catastrophic change in your life.
Types of TBI Injuries
TBI’s long-term effects can change every facet of your life. The financial impact cannot be overestimated. The long-term effects of a severe TBI can result in the need for ongoing medical care. You may not have the ability to live independently. You may not be able to work at all or cannot work in the field in which you were previously employed. You may no longer have the ability to take care of your children or other family members.
The head injuries associated with a TBI range from a mild concussion to a coma from which the patient never awakens. Some TBIs, even those of moderate severity, are not apparent right away. Always go to the emergency room for evaluation and treatment after any serious impact to the head, which can include:
Skull fracture –A skull fracture or other penetrating wound can damage the meninges, the protective tissues around the brain. This enables bacteria to enter the brain, infecting the meninges and potentially spreading to the central nervous system.
Spinal cord injuries –Injuries to the spinal cord may lead to paralysis. This is because the brain no longer receives messages from the spinal cord regarding muscle movement.
TBI Symptoms Long Term
Long-term TBI symptoms include:
- Altered sense of smell or taste
- Chronic headaches
- Cognitive issues
- Consciousness disorders
- Difficulty communicating
- Depression
- Insomnia
- Memory loss
- Mood swings
- Seizures
- Tinnitus – ringing in the ear
- Vertigo
- Vision problems
Those experiencing a TBI are at greater risk for developing epilepsy. This seizure disorder generally manifests itself not long after the head injury, but victims are at risk for a decade or more after the damage. TBI victims are also more vulnerable to early-onset Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s disease.
Behavioral Changes
Behavioral changes are common long-term TBI symptoms. Victims may start indulging in risky behavior. They may act out physically or verbally. Their self-control may suffer, and they may no longer function well in social situations. Their attention and concentration skills diminish.
Their social skills are affected by communications problems, such as no longer reading nonverbal cues. In some cases, they may lose control over the muscles necessary for word-formation.
Performing simple tasks involving organizational or planning skills elude them. As a result, starting or completing tasks becomes problematic, as does basic decision-making.
Long Term TBI Damages
Compensation or damages available to long term TBI victims may include:
- Medical expenses, current, and future
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning capacity
- Long-term care needs
- Costs related to disability, such as home modifications
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
If the TBI resulted from a motor vehicle accident, compensation might involve property damage. If the circumstances surrounding the defendant’s actions are particularly egregious, the jury may award punitive damages. Punitive means punish, and these damages are meant to send a message that such behavior is not acceptable.
Contact a Los Angeles Serious Injury Lawyer
If you or a loved one suffered a TBI due to the negligence or recklessness of another party, you need the services of an experienced Los Angeles serious injury attorney at Salamati Law.
Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation. After reviewing your claim, we will discuss your options. While most cases are settled, we will pursue litigation if the insurance company or defendants do not agree to a reasonable settlement. Because we work on a contingency basis, you pay no fee unless we win.
