Ultimately, the long-term effects of a traumatic brain injury will rest on the severity of an affected person’s condition. Some traumatic brain injuries, like mild concussions, typically do not present long-term symptoms. However, other conditions may increase the likelihood of strokes, seizures, and degenerative diseases.
If not properly managed by a medical professional, a traumatic brain injury can lead to secondary conditions, like infections. To minimize the impact of an injury on your life, you should consult with your healthcare team about your diagnosis and treatment plan.
Your Type of Traumatic Brain Injury Will Determine Its Long-Term Effects
Each traumatic brain injury comes with its own set of concerns. When receiving medical care, your doctor should give you an idea of what treatments could help you now and in the future. If you were released from a hospital, aftercare is especially important. Be sure to take your medications as directed and refrain from any strenuous activity.
According to Healthline, some types of traumatic brain injuries and their possible long-term effects include:
- Concussions. Many concussions do not result in long-term complications. However, this is not true for everyone. Severe concussions can result in behavioral changes, numbness, loss of mobility, and cognitive impairment.
- Hematomas. Brain bleeds are serious conditions that should not be taken lightly. Even after the initial injury has subsided, affected people can still experience anxiety, depression, difficulty speaking, and problems processing information.
- Open head injury. When an object penetrates the skull, it can end up harming the brain. This condition can cause nerve damage, loss of coordination, and even death. An injured person can also get an infection if the wound is not cleaned properly.
- Skull fractures. A fracture in the skull can be extremely painful, and any shards of bone could penetrate the brain. Long-term effects can include internal bleeding, brain damage, infections, and seizures.
There are other examples of traumatic brain injuries that were omitted from this list.
A Traumatic Brain Injury Can Have Long-Term Effects on Your Quality of Life
Hopefully, with diligent medical care, you will be able to make a full recovery from your traumatic brain injury with no long-term complications. Sadly, this is not the case for some people. After suffering a traumatic brain injury, some people are simply not able to regain their full quality of life.
In addition to the long-term physical effects of a traumatic brain injury, consider the following aspects:
You May Not Be Able to Work After Getting Hurt
If your job required considerable physical and mental effort, you may not be able to keep working with your new condition. A traumatic brain injury could prevent you from working full-time or even at all. Depending on the severity of your condition, you could qualify for financial assistance from the Social Security Administration (SSA).
You May Not Be Able to Live Independently
If you are experiencing changes to your mobility, cognitive function, and communication skills, you may be unable to live independently. You may need to live in an assisted care facility or with family members who can provide around-the-clock care.
You Could Develop a Life-Altering Condition in the Future
Traumatic brain injuries increase the likelihood of a person developing Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and dementia. While you may be able to return to your preferred lifestyle after being injured, in the future, things may change.
You May Experience Psychological Distress
Many people report feeling anxious after experiencing a traumatic brain injury. This is not exactly surprising since this injury can be overwhelming to manage. However, when anxiety becomes so overpowering that it consumes a person’s life, it could be a result of their condition.
Some traumatic brain injuries can “rewire” how the brain processes information. In addition to feeling anxious after a traumatic brain injury, you may also feel depressed or irritable.
Bressman Law Can Help You Seek Compensation for Your Damages
For over 30 years, Bressman Law has been helping injured people and their families pursue compensation. We pride ourselves on our experience, transparency, and communication.
If you or a loved one suffered a traumatic brain injury, we can help you seek compensation for the following:
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage-related expenses (if applicable)
- Lost wages
- Loss of future earning capacity
- Medical bills
- Disability
- Disfigurement
- The cost of in-home nursing or assisted living
We want to get started on your case today because Ohio Revised Code § 2305.10 says that you generally have two years from the date of your injury’s occurrence to file a lawsuit. To talk about your situation with a representative from our Ohio law firm, call (877) 538-1116.