Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) are devastating to victims and families but happen far too frequently. Over half of those suffering from a TBI sustained the injury during a car accident. The head is vulnerable; damage occurs when the head strikes the windshield or steering wheel or is struck by debris. An impact often causes the brain to move within the skull, injuring the brain.
Costs of a Traumatic Brain Injury
TBIs are very expensive to treat. In the United States, over $48 billion is spent each year for treatment and associated expenses. Lifetime care for an individual can be as much as $1,875,000, reports a personal injury lawyer in Quincy, MA. The intangible costs are beyond counting; many victims of accidents resulting in a traumatic brain injury are never again as they were before the accident. The parent or child may be disconnected from the family permanently, in those ways that matter most.
Symptoms of a Traumatic Brain Injury
There is a broad spectrum of disabilities and symptoms resulting from TBIs. Brain injuries range from mild to severe.
1. Cognitive defects: difficulty concentrating, memory problems, confusion, slow thinking and difficulty completing a task.
2. Speech and language difficulties: difficulty speaking and understanding the spoken word, problems reading and writing.
3. Touch, vision, hearing, smell and taste: All of the senses can be affected, making it extremely difficult for the patient to relate normally to their environment. In some cases, the loss can be total, resulting in blindness, for example.
4. Seizures: Chronic seizures and convulsions make life even more difficult for the victim.
5. Bodily changes: Pain, loss of bowel and bladder control, paralysis, insomnia, changes in appetite.
6. Emotional problems: A patient may experience changing, unstable emotions, such as aggression, agitation or depression.
Treating Traumatic Brain Injuries
Depending on the severity of the injury, treatments may include surgery to reduce swelling in the brain. Moderate to severe TBIs is generally treated in a Rehabilitative Care facility. Some TBI patients require permanent care in an institution.
The Law Offices of Graham N. Wright represent those with personal injuries and disabilities in Massachusetts. Each personal injury lawyer in Quincy, MA is dedicated to pursuing all available legal options in order to protect their clients from sustaining further injury. If you have suffered an injury as a result of another’s negligence, contact this personal injury lawyer in Quincy, MA for a free consultation. Click here for more information.
