If you’ve suffered a traumatic brain injury, you may think that the worst is over. You supply your medical records to your attorney, and you think you can make a fairly straightforward claim. The truth is that there are a few other things you need to consider. In the future, you could suffer from complications of your TBI, and you need to account for that when you make a claim.
Initially, you’ll suffer from a primary injury. That takes place when you hit your head or otherwise damage the brain due to impact. The secondary injury happens next. These can be delayed as well. For instance, if you have swelling on the brain initially, you may later find that an aneurysm has developed due to stress.
Following post and secondary injuries, you could be at risk of complications. These don’t always happen right away. One that can happen after a moderate or severe TBI is a post-traumatic seizure. This seizure is caused by stress and damage to the brain. They can be permanent or temporary.
Agitation is another side effect and complication of a TBI. Your brain may be affected in such a way that your hormones are fluctuating, or you may simply be dealing with pain or difficulties. Either way, your claim should account for the pain and suffering you’re going through now and in the future.
In the long term, you may suffer from post-traumatic depression, post-traumatic headaches, insomnia or cognitive declines. Seizures could be ongoing, or you may need long-term rehabilitation. All of these issues should be accounted for when your attorney helps you make a claim for your work injury.
Source: Medscape, “Classification and Complications of Traumatic Brain Injury,” Percival H Pangilinan, Jr, MD, accessed Dec. 17, 2015