Approximately 1.7 million people sustain a traumatic brain injury (TBI) each year in the United States. Of these seriously injured victims, 52,000 die, 275,000 are hospitalized, and 1.365 million are treated in the emergency room. These statistics do not include the number of people who suffer a TBI in an accident, who are not treated in the emergency room, or who do not receive medical treatment.
A traumatic brain injury results from a blow or a jolt to the head that disrupts function of the brain. Although not all blows or jolts to the head result in a traumatic brain injury, those that do require extensive medical care and attention – both from health care professionals and the victims’ loved ones.
Common Challenges of Taking Care of TBI Victims
When an individual suffers a traumatic brain injury in an accident, it seriously impacts their entire family. Loved ones have to deal with and adjust their lives in dealing with serious symptoms of a traumatic brain injury, including:
- Drastic personality changes
- Aggressive behavior
- Memory issues
- Mood swings
The first few days and weeks following a TBI are chaotic and confusing. While it may seem that the victim is making progress on some days, it may be followed by down days and setbacks. It is difficult for both medical professionals and caretakers to who when a TBI victim will recover, or whether they will recover at all. If the victim is hospital bound, visitation limitations may keep loved ones from visiting the victims. There may also be days when the family caretakers simply need a break.
Once the victim has stabilized, the focus may shift to efforts of rehabilitation. This is generally a challenging period since some TBI patients may experience extreme agitation and frustration. It is ideal for patients to manage their day-to-day affairs and adjust and improve to what may possibly be their future lifestyle. Unfortunately, this is not always the case for traumatic brain injury victims. In some cases, family caregivers may even be forced to make the decision of admitting their loved ones to a nursing home or rehabilitation center for an extended or infinite period of time.
If someone you know or love has suffered a traumatic brain injury in an accident that was caused by the negligence of another party, it is important to immediately seek expert legal assistance to protect both of your legal rights. With the help of an attorney, you may be able to recover the costs associated with the accident and ensure a more financially secure future for taking care of your injured loved one.
Call a New York Traumatic Brain Injury Attorney Today
If you or a loved one has suffered a traumatic brain injury in an accident that was caused by the reckless actions of another party, you may have a valid personal injury claim and be entitled to monetary compensation. For more information or to consult with one of our experienced New York traumatic brain injury attorneys, please contact Gersowitz Libo & Korek, P.C. at 1-800-529-9997.
