A brain injury has the potential to lead to severe complications that might impact someone for the rest of their life. The brain is responsible for the body’s motor and sensory functions, consciousness, personality, character, judgment, memories, and aspirations. For this reason, a traumatic brain injury has the potential to adversely affect someone’s quality of life.

A head injury can impact the individual’s life and the lives of family members and friends. If you or a loved one has suffered severe head trauma in an accident, call our legal team at (530) 392-9400 or (800) 404-5400 for a free consultation.

Several medical complications might develop if someone has been diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury. Some of the most common impacts include:

• Memory Loss: When people sustain a blow to the head, they might suffer memory loss. There are two types of memory loss. The first is called retrograde memory loss, making it hard for someone to remember events that have already occurred. The second is called anterograde memory loss, which prevents someone from forming new memories. In some situations, memory loss might even be permanent.
• Seizures: Another common complication following a brain injury is the development of attacks. Seizures occur when the brain’s neurons begin firing in an uncontrolled manner. Seizures can manifest in different ways depending on the location and severity of the injury. Some people go on to develop a severe seizure disorder called epilepsy. These seizures might make it hard for someone to return to their pre-injury level of functioning.
• Motor Complications: Others might develop motor complications following a severe head injury. Motor complications may lead to weakness in one or more limbs, coordination problems, and paralysis. In extreme cases, these motor complications might even lead to permanent disabilities. This is what makes brain injuries so devastating.

A few common medical complications people might develop following a brain injury. Of course, other issues may arise as well.

Immediately following a head injury, most focus will be on the medical issues and the initial recovery. While this makes sense, families need to plan ahead, as well. Some logistical problems may include the following:

• Financial Problems: A brain injury can lead to steep medical bills even for financially comfortable families. Trips to the operating room and stays in the intensive care unit (ICU) are expensive. Insurance plans may have high deductibles and coinsurance and might even refuse to cover some of the costs associated with the hospital stay.
• Employment Issues: The complications of a brain injury may make it hard for someone to return to work. Furthermore, those who have suffered a TBI might become dependent on someone else to care for them. This can create employment problems for the individual who sustained the injury and the rest of the family.
• Follow-Up Medical Care: The recovery process will continue after someone leaves the hospital. Many individuals diagnosed with TBI must visit multiple specialists to receive comprehensive care. Transportation, visits, and the coordination of health insurance coverage can be arduous tasks.

Even though this situation can feel overwhelming, everyone must remember that help is available. Medical providers have been trained extensively in neurological injuries, and there are trained professionals who are always willing to lend a helping hand to a family in need. With the proper support, individuals who have suffered a TBI can maximize their chances of recovery.

The video below explains how doctors monitor and treat patients with traumatic brain injuries.

Brain injuries can lead to severe complications that might impact someone for the rest of their life. If you or a loved one has sustained a brain injury due to the negligence of another person or entity, please call our experienced Yreka brain injury attorneys today at (530) 392-9400 or (800) 404-5400 for friendly, free advice.

^{Editor’s Note: updated [10.6.23] [cha 11.3.22] Photo by Natasha Connell on Unsplash dr 0p cha [cs 676]}