Green Bay brain injury attorneysA traumatic brain injury can come as a result of a blow or puncture to the head that disrupts the normal function of the brain. These injuries can range from mild to severe and even fatal, and TBIs are the cause of an estimated 2.8 billion emergency room visits per year and nearly 50, 000 deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Also according to the CDC, the leading causes of TBIs are falls (47%), self-harm (33%), being struck by or against an object (15%), and motor vehicle crashes (14%).

No matter the cause, if you survive a traumatic brain injury, the effects can last anywhere from a few days to perpetuating for the rest of your life. Currently, an estimated 5.3 million people in the United States live with a disability caused by traumatic brain injury or injuries. Many of these people suffer effects such as impaired thinking or memory, loss of movement and/or sensation, vision or hearing loss. Many suffer the emotional and psychological effects leading to depression and other mental health complications.

Traumatic Brain Injury Treatments 

While the prognosis may seem bleak, there are ways to help heal from a traumatic brain injury so that you can live a fulfilling life post-injury.

If your injury is mild — normally considered a concussion — it is still important to be seen by a medical professional to determine the severity and to receive an appropriate treatment plan. In most cases, a mild TBI will require what is called “brain rest” where you take a few days off from regular activities, especially physical ones that could cause another concussion. You may also be prescribed pain medication or encouraged to take over the counter pain relievers, and asked to pay attention to worsening symptoms.

If your injury is severe, you will likely require being monitored in a hospital under a doctor’s care until stabilized. You may require further procedures to relieve pressure on your brain, as well as kept under care to prevent blood clots and infection. The length of recovery, in either case, depends on age and current physical health.

Both mild and severe traumatic brain injuries could very well require help from a mental health professional to heal from the lasting psychological stress from post-traumatic stress disorder that 9 percent of motor vehicle accident survivors experience, according to research. These individuals suffer from flashbacks and recurring fear of things related to the accident, and it may take years of therapy to fully recover.

Contact Our Green Bay Brain Injury Lawyers 

If you have experienced a traumatic brain injury as a result of a car accident, and require treatment, a licensed, experienced and reputable lawyer could get you the help you need. Call our seasoned Appleton brain injury attorneys at 920-739-7366 for a free consultation.

Sources:

https://www.cdc.gov/traumaticbraininjury/get_the_facts.html

https://www.aans.org/Patients/Neurosurgical-Conditions-and-Treatments/Traumatic-Brain-Injury

https://www.aafp.org/afp/1999/0801/p524.html