What Should I Expect After a Traumatic Brain Injury?

The impact of a traumatic brain injury is unlike any other. The effects of it are often long-lasting, and in some cases, they are permanent. For many people, these injuries can dramatically alter their day-to-day life. Diagnosing a TBI is complex. Unlike a broken bone or a contusion, there are often no visible signs. Further complicating matters, many symptoms do not manifest immediately. In fact, some symptoms might not become evident for weeks or even months.

Dealing with TBI is never easy, and the cost of treatment can be substantial. If you suffered a brain injury due to the negligence of another person, an experienced New York City personal injury lawyer from Douglas and London can help.

Motor defects

Some of the most common symptoms of a TBI involve physical deficits and disabilities. The brain controls every aspect of your physical movement, and damage to it can interfere with these functions. Arguably the most severe is paralysis. When the brain is unable to transmit or receive signals properly, it can result in the inability to control the body. These injuries can make it difficult to walk, talk, or even swallow. Fine motor skills, like buttoning a shirt or opening a door, can suddenly become impossible.

Other motor deficiencies do not rise to the level of paralysis. They can include muscle stiffness or uncontrolled movement. In some cases, these spasms can be a constant occurrence. Another common symptom involves the loss of balance, which often leads to dizziness and disorientation. Many of the physical deficiencies following a traumatic brain injury have more to do with balance than paralysis.

Physical symptoms

Some visible symptoms do not directly impact your motor skills. One of the most common is nausea and vomiting in the hours or days after the injury. Fatigue and drowsiness are also common. A traumatic brain injury can also affect your sleep. This includes not only difficultly sleeping but also sleeping far more than usual.

Sensory defects

Individuals also commonly experience sensory defects. This can include issues like ringing in the ears or sensitivity to sound.

Many of these issues are also visual. This can include sensitivity to light or blurry vision. In extreme cases, temporary or permanent blindness is a possibility. Your other senses could also be affected. This could involve lingering bad tastes in your mouth or the inability to smell.

Familiar things might also suddenly become strange. Some individuals with traumatic brain injuries have found that they can no longer identify items by touch. In sum, given the complexities of the brain, there are countless ways this could impact your senses.

Cognitive symptoms

Traumatic brain injuries can even change the way you think or feel. One of the most common cognitive issues is memory loss or the inability to concentrate. Other cognitive problems can be psychological—such as severe depression or anxiety. In rare cases, a brain injury can dramatically alter personality. Some people change significantly over time without realizing it.

Contact us for a free consultation

If this has happened to you or someone you love, a personal injury lawyer might be able to help. If your injury resulted from the actions of another person, the attorneys of Douglas & London could advise you on your right to financial recovery. To learn more about how we can help, schedule a free consultation with Douglas & London as soon as possible.