Brain injuries cause big and small changes in a person’s life. But the exact changes will depend on many factors, particularly the type of injury. The reality is that no two brain injury victims experience the same recovery, so it is difficult to speak generally about “changes” you will experience. Someone suffering a severe traumatic brain injury might be in a coma and need to live in a group home, whereas someone who suffers a mild concussion could return to their daily life with only minor modifications. Our traumatic brain injury lawyer reviews some common life challenges many victims struggle with.
You Might Need Help with Daily Activities
Brain injuries often impact a person’s coordination and fine motor skills. Something as simple as getting dressed could be very difficult. A person with a brain injury might need to relearn how to brush their teeth or take a shower.
Initially, many brain injury victims will need at-home help. This could be family members if you are married or have children. Or you might need to hire an at-home attendant who can assist with cleaning, cooking, and laundry.
Over time, as you participate in rehabilitation, your coordination can improve and you can probably do many tasks on your own. But this could take months or years for someone with a moderate or severe injury.
You Might Need to Take More Breaks
Both physical and mental tasks could be exhausting. Brain injuries impair many people’s ability to concentrate, which means relatively simple tasks like adding numbers or reading might cause headaches and fatigue. You might find yourself needing to step away from your work at regular intervals to rest.
Relationships Could Become Strained
Any impairment that is stressful for a victim is doubly stressful for family members who might suddenly need to take on more responsibility at home. Many brain injury victims also cannot work, which causes financial stress in a family. And remember: all of these challenges come out of the blue. One day life is normal, the next a spouse or child comes home with a serious disability.
Another complication we see are mood changes. A brain injury can cause irritability, depression, or anxiety. Family might not know how to communicate with you, or they simply dislike the person you have become. Many brain injury victims and their family members need counseling to survive the experience.
Intimacy Might Decline
Many people can no longer enjoy sexual intimacy with their spouse, which negatively impacts both partners. Either they suffer from physical limitations which make intimacy impossible, or they are no longer in the mood. Someone suffering from partial physical disability might be embarrassed about having a partner see them in such a vulnerable state.
You Might Enjoy Life Less
Many people cannot pursue hobbies after a brain injury. A leisurely round of gold could become impossible, as could lifting and cuddling a grandchild. If you enjoy movies or video games, then looking at a blue screen for hours might trigger intense headaches.
Legal Help for Brain Injuries
Anyone suffering from a traumatic brain injury should consult an experienced attorney to discuss whether they can bring a lawsuit. If successful, they might receive compensation for at-home help, rehab, surgery, lost income, and pain and suffering.