Yes, many people who suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) may suffer long-term effects, or develop complications later in life, sometimes even a decade or longer after their acute injury. Foggy thinking and difficulty concentrating, anxiety and depression, trouble sleeping, or even personality changes can develop long after you think you’ve recovered from your head injury. This collection of symptoms is referred to as post-concussion syndrome; even people who suffer mild concussions may experience it.
Have you suffered a TBI due to someone else’s negligence? You may be eligible for compensation for future medical needs, in addition to the compensation you received for your past and current damages. An experienced California traumatic brain injury lawyer can help you secure the money you need to address complications from a TBI.
Brain trauma increases the risk of cognitive decline…
Over 23 million adults in the U.S. aged 40 and older have suffered a head injury that caused loss of consciousness. Even a few minutes of unconsciousness can dramatically increase the risk of brain damage. And, the chances of serious brain damage increase with re-injury; people who have suffered one head injury, even a minor one, have a much higher chance of brain damage if they experience a second one.
Brain damage from a head injury doesn’t always present serious symptoms immediately. Sometimes, the victim may show little damage initially, only to develop complications years later.
…Even in minor injuries
According to research conducted by the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, even a mild traumatic brain injury increases your risk of early-onset cognitive decline. For older adults already at risk of developing Alzheimer’s Disease or dementia, a head injury that resulted in loss of consciousness significantly increases their risk.
Currently, there are few curative treatments for cognitive decline. Many people with dementia may enjoy a better quality of life in memory care facilities, where they may be safer, and receive treatment to help ease their symptoms. However, residential memory care is expensive; in California, the annual cost is over $140,000. A settlement can cover the cost of long-term care, but securing the compensation necessary for it can be tricky.
Other late-onset brain trauma complications
Dementia isn’t the only delayed complication from a prior head injury. Due to its position directly beneath the skull, the cerebral cortex is one of the regions of the brain most often injured in a traumatic head injury.
However, additional research has indicated that another part of the brain, the thalamus, is often more damaged than the cortex after a head injury. Inflammation of the brain tissues, disruption of the nervous system, and neuron death impact the ability of the thalamus to direct daily activities. According to researchers, “the thalamus seems particularly vulnerable, even after a mild traumatic brain injury,” which can lead to chronic seizures and sleep disruption.
Legal impacts of delayed-onset brain injury
The possibility of delayed complications from a brain injury poses a unique problem for TBI claims. Once you sign a settlement, the case is closed, and you cannot go back for additional compensation years later, to cover treatment of the latent injury. Instead, your attorney must consider the likelihood of you developing complications from your brain injury and present a strong case to support awarding you compensation for future damages.
A law firm with extensive resources, including access to medical experts who can affirm the strong possibility of later-in-life complications, can help ensure that you secure the money you need now and in the future.
If you have suffered a traumatic brain injury, please contact Ernst Law Group at (805) 541-0300 for a free consultation.
