Traumatic Brain Injuries’ Long-Term Consequences

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Traumatic brain injuries are among the most catastrophic injuries a person can suffer.  New evidence shows even mild brain injuries may pose long-term, life-changing consequences.

Media attention to traumatic brain injuries has heightened in recent years, largely to sports-related TBIs.  No sport has been in this spotlight more than football, be it high school, college or the professional ranks.

The National Football League has been under scrutiny in particular for looking the other way when it comes to Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy. CTE symptoms in football players typically become apparent long after their playing days are over, but they are quite serious. Caused by repeated blows to the head, CTE results in severe brain damage that cannot be treated, and often leads to dementia and dangerous changes to one’s mood and behaviors.

Negligence that Causes Traumatic Brain Injuries

But sports are just one cause of traumatic brain injuries. There are numerous causes, including:

·         Motor vehicle accidents

·         Birthing injuries

·         Workplace accidents

·         Misdiagnosis of a serious health condition

What makes a traumatic brain injury suffered under these circumstances even worse is that they were usually avoidable, caused by someone’s negligence.

Like CTE, most traumatic brain injuries make every day living extremely difficult for the victim and for loved ones.  A TBI sufferer may no longer be able to work.  Even simple tasks may be arduous to impossible.

Victims of traumatic brain injuries may face a lifetime of costly rehabilitation, placing a dire financial and emotional strain on all affected.

Mild Concussions and Long-Term Cognitive Issues

Traumatic brain injuries usually become apparent shortly after a catastrophic incident. But the University of Virginia School of Medicine recently announced research that shows less severe injuries to the brain, perhaps overlooked, can pose grave consequences.

The study (“Meningeal Lymphatic Dysfunction Exacerbates Traumatic Brain Injury Pathogenesis”) was published in the September issue of Nature Communications, a scientific journal.

Researchers found that even mild concussions can cause life-long harm to the brain. Concussions of any type hamper the brain’s ability to rid itself of dangerous toxins.  And this can lay the groundwork for serious long-term health ailments such as dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

Mice were used in this research, a common medical study approach.  Researchers found that anytime the brain swells against the skull – what happens during a concussion - key vessels that clean the brain become squeezed, hampering their vital function and opening up the possibility for long-term, irreversible cognitive issues.

This study provides another reason for victims of major accidents – be they car or truck crashes or a medical error – should be thoroughly checked for TBI and consider consulting an attorney who represents victims hurt by the negligence of others.

Personal injury lawsuits for victims of traumatic brain injuries seek the financial compensation they are owed for their dramatic loss of income and way of life. Such compensation is fair and just for the victims and their loved ones whose lives are also changed forever.

If you or a family member was seriously injured in any way by the carelessness of others, speak to a personal injury attorney about pursuing the compensation you deserve.

The choice of a lawyer is an important decision that should not be based solely on advertisements.

Authored by Gray Ritter Graham, posted in Blog September 18, 2020

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