When a brain injury occurs from an outside force rather than from a medical condition, physicians refer to it as a traumatic brain injury (TBI). While the brain can sometimes forge new pathways, the damaged portion doesn’t heal itself. If your injury was caused by someone else’s negligence, speaking with an esteemed brain injury lawyer in Arlington can help you understand your legal rights and options for pursuing compensation. For this reason, it’s essential to understand the long-term effects of a severe TBI. Contact an attorney from Wells Trumbull for a free consultation to discuss your case and protect your future.
The Long-Term Effects of Brain Trauma Depend on the Location and Severity of the Injury
A head injury from blunt force trauma or a traumatic shake or jar can cause the brain to bump or twist against the bony inside of the skull. The long-term effects of a brain injury vary depending on which part of the brain is damaged, with the following common impacts:
- Frontal lobe injuries often cause behavioral changes, such as increased risk-taking or inappropriate behaviors
- Injuries to the right side of the brain may result in visual processing problems, spatial awareness difficulties, and trouble with socializing and communication
- Injuries to the left side of the brain are associated with speech problems, language processing disorder, and problems with logic and cognition
Depending on the severity of the damage, brain injury victims may also suffer from symptoms such as headaches, memory loss, difficulty concentrating, seizures, depression, anxiety, and personality changes.
Understanding the Long-Term Economic Effects of Brain Trauma in Washington
According to Centers for Disease Control (CDC) statistics, five years after suffering a brain injury, the following findings reveal potential long-term impacts of brain trauma:
- About 55% of brain injury patients are unemployed
- Around 57% of brain injury victims have moderate to severe disability
- Over 33% rely on others for daily care or assistance
- An alarming 29% of brain injury victims develop a dependency on alcohol or illicit drug use
Fortunately, there’s room for hope, as the CDC study also shows that 26% of brain injury victims show significant improvement in their five-year outcome. Still, the CDC defines a severe traumatic brain injury as a lifelong condition.
What If Someone Else’s Negligence Caused the Brain Injury in Washington?
Suffering a serious brain injury is always traumatic and terrifying. Still, it’s even more devastating when the injury is the direct result of someone else’s careless, reckless, or wrongful actions, and the permanent injury could have been avoided with someone else’s reasonable care. While no legal action can repair a brain injury, a successful claim against the responsible party can open doors to the best medical care and relieve the related financial anxieties, leaving you and your family free to focus on reaching the maximum medical improvement.
A successful brain injury claim helps mitigate brain trauma damages, such as medical expenses, therapy costs, loss of income, and home health assistance. Non-economic damages are also available to brain injury victims, such as compensation for pain and suffering and for diminished quality of life due to a catastrophic injury.
How Can a Washington Brain Injury Lawyer From Wells Trumbull Help Me?
Brain trauma can result from a car accident, a bad fall, or an act of physical violence. When someone else’s negligence or wrongdoing caused the injury, you don’t have to be left with financial hardship as well as the physical and emotional aspects of the injury. Instead, call an experienced Arlington personal injury attorney from Wells Trumbull for a free consultation and prompt legal action on your behalf.