What Are the Long Term Side Effects of a Traumatic Brain Injury?

A Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is one of the most severe injuries that anyone can endure, affecting millions of people each year. Of all the injuries that you can endure, injuries to the brain are the most likely to result in death or permanent disability. Brain injuries can result from all sorts of incidents, including car accidents, falls, sports injuries, bike accidents, and assaults among other things. While TBIs can be mild and only cause temporary disruptions in your brain function, others can have profound and long-lasting side effects. Here at LifeLaw our brain injury lawyers want to shed light on the long-term effects a TBI can have on your life, and in this article we will be detailing these consequences and how they can fundamentally alter your life.

Understanding Traumatic Brain Injuries

A TBI occurs when an external force causes the brain to move rapidly within the skull. This abrupt motion causes the brain to rattle which can potentially lead to bruising, bleeding, or other types of damage. In the world of TBIs they are classified based on their severity, these classifications are:

Mild TBI (Concussion): These are the most common forms of brain injuries and are very common in sports. These are characterized by brief changes in your mental health as well as how you think, learn, act, and sleep. You may have a Mild TBI if you are struggling with processing new information, problems with short term memory, concentrating on day to day activities, and problem solving.

Moderate TBI: A moderate TBI is caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head. These are far more serious than a Mild TBI and should be seen by a doctor immediately. A moderate brain injury may result in a longer loss in consciousness as well as much more severe cognitive impairments.

Severe TBI: Severe TBIs are caused by car accidents, bike accidents, or even gunshot wounds. These are the most serious form of brain injury and they can result in death. Surviving a serious TBI means major changes in your day to day life as you will suffer serious neurological deficits and may even develop cognitive disabilities.

Cognitive and Emotional Consequences

Among the several profound effects that a brain injury can have on your life, one of the most common is changes in your cognitive capabilities. If you have suffered from a traumatic brain injury you may experience the following side effects:

  • Memory Loss: Brain injuries can cause issues with your memories. It can be difficult to form new memories or recall past events with a brain injury.
  • Attention Deficits: Another common symptom of a brain injury is the development of attention deficits. Trouble concentrating can be detrimental as it can hinder your day to day tasks as well as your job performance.
  • Executive Dysfunction: This refers to the ability to plan, organize, or the ability to problem solve. 

Emotional Changes

TBI’s directly alter your brain functions and one part of your brain that can be altered is your emotional state. TBIs can lead to the following changes emotionally:

Depression and Anxiety: The changes in your brain chemistry along with the emotional tolls that arise when dealing with these injuries can lead to mood disorders. You may experience feelings of depression and anxiety.

Irritability and Mood Swings: Another change you may experience is heightened emotions or inappropriate responses to actions, resulting in mood swings and an increase in irritability.

Personality Changes: TBIs can permanently alter your personality, this can sometimes be so severe that it can make you unrecognizable to your loved ones.

Physical and Sensory Side Effects

TBIs can cause long term physical changes, these changes can include the following:

  • Chronic Pain: If the injury is severe you may begin to feel consistent chronic pain. The most common pain you may feel are persistent headaches, migraines, and neck pain.
  • Motor Skill Impairments: Difficulty with coordination, balance, and fine motor skills.
  • Sensory Changes: Brain injuries can alter your brain chemistry resulting in changes in your senses. This can lead to altered senses of taste, smell, touch, and vision, including new sensitivities to light and sound.

Social and Occupational Impact

Brain injuries can also affect how you perceive and act in social and occupational settings. These changes can be:

Relationship Strain: A brain injury can create changes in your brain altering how you act. This can lead to changes in your behavior and personality which can strain relationships with your friends and family.

Employment Challenges: Cognitive and physical impairments can also result from a TBI and can make it difficult to maintain employment or a regular work schedule. This can result in serious financial strain.

Social Isolation: With changes in your brain chemistry it can create difficulty in participating in any social activities and can result in feelings of isolation and loneliness.

Legal and Financial Considerations

If you have suffered from a traumatic brain injury, the road to recovery can be rocky, leading to financial and legal challenges. These Challenges can include:

  • Medical Expenses: Long-term medical care, rehabilitation and physical therapy, and any ongoing medical treatments can be extremely costly.
  • Loss of Income: Brain injuries can affect every aspect of your life and can change your ability to work. The inability to work or a reduced earning capacity can result in serious financial problems.
  • Legal Recourse: If your injuries were caused by the negligence of someone else then you may need to pursue legal action to help secure compensation for your injuries.

Traumatic Brain Injuries can deeply change every aspect of your life. Your day to day cognitive functions may be completely altered and your emotional stability and relationships with loved ones may be forever changed. It is important to understand the long term effects that a brain injury can have for both the victims and their friends and families.

If you or someone you know has suffered a TBI due to an accident or the negligence of someone else, seeking out a skilled Salt Lake City personal injury lawyer is crucial. Here at LifeLaw our Salt Lake City personal injury lawyers are here to help. Let our experienced personal injury lawyers fret over every detail of your case and work tirelessly to get you the compensation that you deserve. Our Salt Lake City personal injury attorneys believe you should be heard throughout every step of your case which is why LifeLaw offers best in class client communication.

To get the legal representation that you deserve, call LifeLaw today for a free consultation and to discuss your options further. Here at LifeLaw we value you, we value life.