Yes, traumatic brain injuries can get worse over time, especially if complications develop or the injury is moderate to severe. However, some people with mild TBI improve significantly with proper medical care and rehabilitation.
If you or a loved one is coping with long-term symptoms, speaking with a California traumatic brain injury lawyer can help you understand your options after a serious injury.
What causes traumatic brain injury?
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) occurs when a sudden external force disrupts normal brain function. This can happen in car accidents, falls, workplace incidents, sports injuries, or assaults. The main damage comes from sudden trauma to the head that forces the brain into the skull. According to the Mayo Clinic, TBI victims can experience bleeding, swelling, bruising, or tearing in their brain tissue.
What kind of TBI gets worse over time?
TBIs fall into two main categories: mild and moderate to severe. A mild TBI usually causes headache, nausea, dizziness, memory loss, and mood swings. Moderate to severe TBIs have these same symptoms, along with convulsions, seizures, cerebrospinal fluid leakage, loss of coordination, slurred speech, and severe confusion.
While a mild TBI can worsen without treatment, it’s more common for the effects of a moderate to severe TBI to become more widespread as time goes on. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, while damaged brain cells cannot regrow, the brain can often reroute functions to other areas to recover lost capabilities.
What makes brain injuries worse?
Even if you were hurt years ago, an old brain injury can cause problems later in life. Some factors that could cause additional problems after a TBI include:
- Stress from work, finances, or relationships
- Engaging in contact sports
- Refraining from attending rehabilitation sessions
- Additional head injury from a car crash or fall
Sometimes, even the best medical care can’t prevent a brain injury from getting worse. However, you owe it to yourself and your family to follow your doctor’s orders to heal as much as you can. When you already have reduced physical and cognitive abilities from a TBI, they can grow significantly more problematic as you get older.
How can I get support if I have a traumatic brain injury?
Your first course of action is to get medical care immediately and follow the treatment program your doctors provide. In California, you can also get support from the following groups:
- Brain Injury Center of Ventura County
- California Association for Traumatic Brain Injury (CATBI)
- Community Resources for Independent Living (CRIL)
- UCSF Post-Acute Traumatic Brain Injury Program
- San Diego Brain Injury Foundation (SDBIF)
- California Department of Rehabilitation
Many of these organizations provide rehabilitation services and long-term care guidance.
If your injury resulted from someone else’s negligence or careless action, you may be eligible to file a personal injury lawsuit against them. TBIs usually result in enormous medical bills and changes to your life, meaning you could be left without the ability to earn a living. If another party is to blame for hurting you, you can work with a personal injury lawyer to build a case against them for compensation.
Is there a law firm that helps traumatic brain injury victims in California?
At Ernst Law Group, we understand how a TBI can affect your daily life and future. We focus on all aspects of personal injury law but maintain a Traumatic Brain Injury Resource Center to assist clients in recovering compensation from at-fault parties. Our legal professionals have experience in calculating the current and long-term costs of healing from this type of injury, which can exceed those in other cases.
If your injury resulted from someone else’s negligence, you may have the right to pursue compensation. Speak with a California traumatic brain injury lawyer to discuss your situation. You can contact us online or call (805) 541-0300 today.