The Complications in a TBI Claim and How to Overcome Them
What Causes TBI?
A Traumatic Brain Injury can be caused by a blow to the head, such as when you fall on a slick sidewalk, or something falls on your skull. However, a jolt to your skull can also cause TBI.
For example, you may be in a car wreck and struck from behind. Your neck may be sore and taking most of your attention. You may not notice memory problems or an inability to focus after such an event for several days. Your skull is more than 10 pounds of fused bone. Even if your skull is not struck, the movement of your brain inside your skull can break neural connections and cause disruption.
Mild Vs. Severe
Both a mild and a severe head wound often start with a loss of consciousness. Confusion and disorientation upon regaining consciousness can also be a symptom of either classification of injury. However, a severe TBI often includes damage to the skull, and you may experience seizures, a nosebleed, or bleeding from the ears.
The first step after any head injury is to be seen by a physician. Even if you feel fine and don’t develop a bump on your skull, head trauma can lead to internal bleeding and even seizures in the future. Never assume you’re OK after a bad head bump.
Healing Takes Time
The early healing stages will take time. You may struggle with memory problems, such as finding the right words or recalling a name or a place. You may have balance problems or trouble falling asleep. Early in your healing process, you may need in-home care or a regular check-in from a personal companion who can take you to appointments and help you manage your house.
The long healing time that a TBI takes may indicate a permanent loss of function. Should your struggles become overwhelming, consider reaching out to professionals in the health, legal, and insurance industries so you can get help to file a TBI claim. You may need permanent assistance in the future with activities that require memory function, such as paying your bills and meeting appointments. You may also need help replacing your income.
Rebuilding Your Life
Following a TBI, there are therapies you can undergo to build new neural pathways. You may need physical therapy to regain your balance. You may need occupational therapy to relearn how to build memories, how to build a mental map, and how to relax enough to sleep. You may need to start a prescription treatment to reduce the risk of seizures in the future.
All of these therapies will require calendar coordination and payment coverage. Should your TBI be severe enough, you may need to apply for disability support to cover your needs in the future. Instead of struggling alone and avoiding this very tough topic, it’s critical that you reach out for support as soon as you start to work on repairing the damage done by the injury.
