A brain injury can be caused by a hit on the head or a fall that shakes your brain against the inside of your skull. This shaking can cause bleeding in the brain. The bleeding disrupts neurons and can slow down or stop their communication with each other.
The short-term effects of this serious injury are obvious and include confusion, headache, and nausea. People who suffer from brain injuries after an accident or fall sometimes also develop short-term memory problems and can’t remember what was done five minutes ago or recall a meeting that occurred yesterday.
These problems are usually temporary, but in some cases, they become permanent. This is one reason it is so important to seek medical attention after an accident or fall, even if there doesn’t seem to be any injury. The doctor will decide whether you need to have imaging tests that might show hidden problems that could lead to long-term effects of a brain injury.
Vague Symptoms, Serious Consequences
People who have had concussions or other brain injuries often find it hard to focus on tasks at hand and to keep track of their surroundings. You can be irritable and lose your temper more easily than before the injury. You may have trouble finding words you want to use, and other people might have trouble relating to you.
A doctor will assign a grade to your brain injury based on how impaired you are. The higher the number, the more severe the injury. A grade of 1 means you have a mild impairment and 4 means severe impairment or traumatic brain injury (TBI).
Traumatic brain injuries are known to cause depression and anxiety. You might feel sad or hopeless for no apparent reason and lose interest in things you once enjoyed doing. Many people become anxious and find it difficult to go out into public places. Some may even become reclusive to avoid these uncomfortable situations.
Depression is a common long-term effect of a brain injury because the injury affects the frontal lobe of the brain, which is responsible for regulating emotions, behavior, and decision-making. When this area is damaged, it becomes difficult to regulate moods and feelings appropriately, which negatively affects behavior.
Assembling a Team of Helpful Professionals
Your doctor will help you try out different rehabilitation strategies to find out what works. It is important to be aware that rehabilitation takes time. The process may last months or even years. In the early stages, once you’re stabilized, you should consult an injury lawyer.
Whether your injuries occurred on the job, as a result of a car accident, or while walking along the sidewalk in front of your favorite shop, the long-term effects of a brain injury can leave you out of work or disabled. That’s why a brain injury attorney should be part of your team.
Speak with a Chicago injury lawyer at Lane Brown, LLC at 312-332-1400, or fill out our online contact form to discuss when and how to sue for a brain injury to receive a settlement for your injuries.
