Brain Injury
6 Tips for Helping a Loved One With a Brain Injury
| August 2nd, 2021
Brain injuries are among the worst types of physical injuries a person can endure. Although they vary in severity, the most common is a traumatic brain injury (TBI), which is typically sustained due to blunt force trauma or a penetrating impact.
Symptoms of a Brain Injury
Brain injury symptoms may be temporary or cause permanent damage. The severity of the symptoms correlates with the extent of the damage to the brain tissue, ranging from mild to severe. Some of these symptoms include:
- Dizziness
- Mood swings
- Memory loss
- Loss of consciousness
- Slurred speech
- Dilated pupils
- Headache increases in intensity
- Vomiting or nausea
If your loved one has sustained a serious head injury, whether from an auto accident, slip and fall, or other circumstance, and they experience any of these symptoms, seek immediate medical attention.
Types of Brain Injuries
Different brain injuries can elicit varying symptoms and impact the level of disability that occurs as a result. The three main types of brain injury are:
- Closed head: The injury has no visible head wound.
- Open wound: The injury has an open wound, and the brain is vulnerable to penetration.
- Crushing brain: This injury occurs when the brain is crushed between objects.
The most common type of brain injury is closed head, and the extent of the injury is not always immediately apparent, often leading people to postponed medical treatment. This can, unfortunately, lead to serious health complications and long-term disability.
Caring For a Loved One With a Brain Injury
If a family member, friend, or loved one sustained a TBI or another type of brain injury, it’s natural to feel lost or not know what to do. Here are things you can do to help them, making their lives and yours more manageable.
1. Learn About Brain Injuries
The first thing you should do is gather basic information on the types of brain injuries and the severity of side effects. This can help you meet your loved one’s needs, so you can recognize changes in their personality and worsening symptoms.
2. Help Them Organize Their Lives
One of the most common side effects of a TBI is memory loss. Although the severity varies depending on the individual, most cases involve situations where your loved ones forget where their belongings are or become unable to remember names, dates, appointments, or everyday tasks.
There are many ways you can help them reintroduce organization into their lives:
- Encourage them to use lists, agendas, or memo applications.
- Label cabinets, appliances, drawers, and other furniture so they can find what they need.
- Keep photo albums with names, dates of birth, and other information they might want to remember.
3. Don’t Let Them Flounder
Another common side effect of a brain injury is the constant sensation of fatigue and a lack of motivation to get outside or do anything. This may cause anxiety or depression, further reinforcing the sensations of fatigue.
Take them for a walk in a calming place like a park or nature preserve. Organize outings like family picnics or day trips to the lake to give them some fresh air and light socialization. However, avoid large crowds or extremely busy locations as this can be stressful or overwhelming for someone recovering from a TBI.
4. Be Proactive
Sustaining a brain injury can often leave someone feeling confused or out of place, creating feelings of discomfort, uncertainty, and helplessness.
In other words, they may not be able to ask for help as often as they should, out of fear of feeling like a burden. It is vital to be proactive and offer to help even when they do not ask for it. There are many things you can do to ease their burden, such as:
- Run their errands and buy them supplies at a store.
- Do dishes or laundry.
- Clean the house.
- Offer to cook or order food.
5. Be Mindful During Conversations
Brain injury victims may not have the same conversational speed as before. They may feel they are thinking or processing words in slow motion and have trouble recalling the correct terms for things.
Avoid using misleading statements or becoming frustrated when they can’t find the word they need. Instead, let them take time, offer a hint, and give praise and reassurance when they do find their words.
Certain brain injury patients may interpret promises and expressions literally, such as believing you will return in exactly one minute if you tell them you’ll be back “in a minute.” Be mindful of that fact, especially if they were already prone to this behavior before their injury.
6. Above All, Be Patient
A brain injury is a life-changing event that can completely alter the victim’s perception of life, time, and the world. From their point of view, an inability to do even the simplest tasks may be very frustrating.
Show them patience, understanding, and support, both practical and emotional. Helping them do tasks, giving them validation and comfort, and being a supportive presence can make a significant difference in their lives.
Although it isn’t always easy, remember that their condition often causes displays of hostility or impatience. Think of it as their injury talking and not as the intention to be hurtful or hostile.
Help Your Loved One Through This Challenging Time
Recovery may be a long process for a brain injury victim, but time, treatment, and adequate support are the ingredients for returning to a normal, healthy life. Unfortunately, loss of income and medical bills can add financial strain to an already stressful time.
If your loved one sustained a brain injury as the result of negligent behavior by another party, they may be eligible for damages to cover medical costs, lost income, or for pain and suffering.
Don’t hesitate to call our San Francisco brain injury lawyers for a free consultation to help your injured loved ones take back control of their lives and secure the financial compensation they deserve.
How Does a Brain Injury Affect Your Ability to Drive?
| May 24th, 2021
Brain injuries come in varying levels of severity, causing minor impairments with coordination and memory to patients who cannot care for themselves. If you’ve suffered from a traumatic brain injury (TBI), it may affect your reaction time, depth perception, peripheral vision, and coordination when you drive. If you’ve suffered from TBI seizures in the last year, you may have your license suspended.
However, with time, physical and occupational therapy, and medication, you may be able to drive normally one day. Here’s what you need to know about how a brain injury affects your ability to drive and when you can expect to hit the road again.
What is a TBI?
Traumatic brain injuries occur due to an impact or force that damages the brain. They typically occur from sports injuries, violence, slips and falls, and car accidents. A TBI occurs due to direct blunt force trauma to the head or the head changing direction suddenly and violently, causing the brain to hit the skull.
Some TBIs can heal after several weeks, months, or a year. Any TBI that lasts for more than a year is likely to be a permanent impairment, although you can learn to compensate with proper physical rehab interventions. Some drivers may need adaptive equipment to get behind the wheel again.
For those who received their TBI in a car accident, you may require some counseling to help you overcome anxiety and PTSD from the crash and to regain your confidence.
TBIs can impact your cognitive, visual, and physical abilities when you drive, which can be dangerous and lead to an accident. If you experience any of these impairments, it’s important to seek medical clearance before driving again.
Cognitive Impairments
TBIs to the frontal or temporal lobe can cause cognitive issues in the accident or fall’s immediate aftermath. Common symptoms of cognitive impairments following a TBI include:
- Disorientation and confusion
- Problems with decision-making, planning, impulse control, memory, problem-solving, and communication
- Distraction and difficulties concentrating
- Inability to cope with unexpected weather events or construction detours
While these injuries typically resolve in three to six months, severe damage may cause issues to persist. Aggressive physical, occupational, and psychological therapy can help you overcome many of these challenges and give you critical coping mechanisms.
Physical Impairments
Damage to the cerebellum, parietal lobe, and brain stem can cause physical challenges when you want to return to your normal life. In addition to the damage your brain has sustained, other areas of your body may have been seriously injured in an accident or fall. You may need to learn a new way of moving your body and utilizing new adaptive tools to get around. Your brain is also healing and can cause impairments such as:
- Hearing loss
- Poor hand-eye coordination and muscle coordination
- Limited muscle strength
- A loss of sense of balance, or vertigo
Visual Impairments
Damage to the occipital lobe causes vision challenges that can make driving difficult or impossible. Many of these issues resolve with time, but some persist and may make getting back behind the wheel impossible. Visual impairments after a TBI include:
- Loss of peripheral vision
- Development of blind spots
- Blurred vision, double vision, trouble focusing
- Difficulty controlling eye movement
- Slow processing of road signs or potential hazards
Getting Back to Driving
If your license was suspended as a result of your TBI, you will need to go to the DMV and participate in a re-examination interview or a physical and mental hearing.
An experienced personal injury attorney from Berg Injury Lawyers can help you prepare for these steps and provide documentation from your doctors to support your case for license reinstatement.
Alternatively, if you are deemed unable to drive again safely due to a permanent traumatic brain injury, you may need financial assistance for transportation costs and medical bills. Not being able to drive severely limits your ability to earn a living wage, and you may have dependents who count on you for transportation. These are calculable damages you may be eligible to recover if your TBI resulted from another person’s negligence.
The Final Word
If you or a loved one have sustained a traumatic brain injury, don’t give up hope. With time and medical interventions, many TBI patients can heal and get back on the road again safely. Let our experienced California brain injury lawyers help you get back your wheels and your independence. We can also file a claim for damages from the negligent party, so you are financially secure.
Why Does My Head Hurt After an Accident?
| February 15th, 2021
Several factors can contribute to head pain after a crash, from stress-related headaches to serious brain injuries. If your head hurts after an accident, it’s important to seek medical treatment as soon as possible.
Let’s look at a few common causes of head pain after a car accident and why seeing a doctor is so important.
Possible Causes of Headaches After a Car Accident
- Stress-induced headache
- Headaches from being struck by or against objects during the crash
- Whiplash-related headaches
- Concussions
- More severe traumatic brain injuries
In addition to physical trauma, the stress of a car accident can be draining and lead to headaches. If your crash was minor, and there were no injuries involved, it’s possible your headache could be due to stress. However, never take a risk when you’re feeling unwell after an accident; visit the doctor to rule out anything more serious.
If your head is struck by or against an object during the crash, or if you were jolted during a crash, you could be experiencing a headache as a side effect of a serious injury. A doctor will be able to examine you to determine if you have whiplash, a concussion, or a more severe traumatic brain injury.
Why Should I See a Doctor for a Headache?
In some cases, people involved in crashes could be seriously injured without feeling serious symptoms immediately after the accident. That’s because the adrenaline caused by the crash masks their symptoms. However, even a minor headache could indicate you’ve suffered serious injuries.
Even if a doctor rules out serious injuries as a cause of your headache, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that your pain isn’t a symptom of a more serious issue.
There are also possible financial implications for not seeing a doctor for your crash-induced headache; if you fail to seek treatment, and you later discover you were injured, the insurance company could allege you weren’t hurt seriously or at all because you didn’t see a doctor.
At Berg Injury Lawyers, we’ve handled countless car accident cases, and we’ve seen this type of tactic used frequently by insurance companies. It’s one of the many reasons you should err on the side of caution after a crash and see a doctor as soon as possible to protect both your health and your right to compensation.
Who Will Pay for the Costs of My Injuries and Medical Care?
If you’ve been injured through no fault of your own, you could be owed significant compensation from the at-fault party’s insurance company. By filing a personal injury claim, you may recoup the costs of all the medical care you receive due to crash-related injuries.
If You’re Looking for Legal Help, Get Berg Today!
The San Francisco car accident attorneys at Berg Injury Lawyers want to help you get the compensation you’re entitled to by law. We’ve been helping clients get maximum compensation since 1981, and we’re ready to fight for you.
If you’d like to speak to our team, contact us today to schedule a free, no-obligation case assessment. Let our attorneys help you explore all your available legal options.
Can You Ever Truly Recover from a Brain Injury?
| January 11th, 2021
Broken bones heal. Bruises fade. In fact, most parts of the human body have an impressive healing capacity—with a few important exceptions. One of the few body parts that doesn’t heal like the rest is the brain.
Though not all brain injuries are permanent, the most severe ones have lasting impacts on sufferers. Let’s dive into the brain’s capacity to heal after an injury.
Mild Brain Injuries Often Heal
Mild traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), like concussions, typically don’t affect sufferers permanently. However, mild brain injuries can have a cumulative effect, which is why a second concussion causes more damage than your first concussion, even if you were not struck any harder than you were the first time. For this reason, some concussions may be classified as moderate brain injuries.
According to the Centers for Disease and Control Prevention (CDC), several factors impact recovery time from mild brain injuries. Those factors include:
- The person’s age
- Their overall health before the injury
- How well the injured person takes care of themselves after the injury
We’ll look at proven strategies to aid recovery from mild injuries below. First, let’s understand how the severity of an injury affects the potential for recovery.
The More Severe the Brain Injury, the More Permanent the Effects
Moderate to severe brain injuries can potentially lead to permanent disability, both physically and mentally. Rather than thinking about traumatic brain injuries as events, one important study suggests that it’s more helpful to think of coping with the consequences of a serious TBI as a “disease process.”
Researchers cite several factors that make living with a TBI similar to living with a chronic disease:
- The injuries are largely permanent.
- They require specialized training for rehabilitation and potentially require a long period of observation, supervision, or care.
- Serious TBIs reduce life expectancy and increase long-term mortality.
- They are linked with increased occurrences of seizures, sleep disorders, neurodegenerative diseases, and psychiatric diseases.
- TBIs are also associated with non-neurological disorders such as sexual dysfunction, bladder and bowel incontinence, and metabolic issues.
These effects may appear or continue for months to years after someone suffers a brain injury. It’s important to understand that, just like a disease, the effects of TBI can be managed, and many sufferers do eventually return to a new normal, even if life isn’t like it was before the brain injury.
Seeking specialized medical care is essential for TBI sufferers. Through sustained effort and guidance from medical professionals, some degree of “recovery” is possible. Lifestyle choices also play a huge part in the brain’s ability to heal.
How to Help Your Brain Heal
For moderate to severe brain injuries, medical treatment and supervision are the best tools to manage life post-TBI. However, all TBI sufferers, especially those with milder injuries, will benefit from following these CDC recommendations.
- Prioritize getting sufficient sleep at night and resting as needed throughout the day.
- Avoid physically or mentally demanding tasks.
- Avoid any activities that could lead to another concussion.
- Once your doctor has cleared you to participate in certain activities, return to those activities gradually.
- Don’t return to work until your doctor approves.
- If possible, return to work gradually after your doctor clears you.
- Take only medications approved by your physician.
- Don’t drink alcohol until your doctor says it’s okay to do so.
- Avoid staring at screens (computers, TVs, mobile devices) for long periods.
- Understand that your memory could be impacted, so write down important notes to yourself in case you forget them.
Be patient with yourself as your brain heals. If you’re ever in doubt that you’re ready to perform a certain activity, err on the side of caution and favor rest and self-care over physically or mentally demanding tasks.
If Your Brain Injury Was Caused by Another’s Negligence, Get Legal Help Immediately
Dealing with the aftermath of a brain injury can be costly. Not only do you need medical assistance, you might not be able to do your job for some time. When your brain injury is caused by someone else’s negligence, you should demand compensation for the costs of your injury.
At Berg Injury Lawyers, we know what life is like for those suffering from brain injuries. We help our clients get the compensation they’re entitled to by law, and we have years of experience helping brain injury victims throughout Northern California. Contact the California brain injury attorneys at Berg Injury Lawyers today to schedule a free consultation with our team.
A Free Guide to Traumatic Brain Injuries
| March 2nd, 2020
When you hear the phrase traumatic brain injury, you probably imagine a terrifying incident where someone is rushed to an emergency room and treated by a team of physicians. Though these injuries are most definitely terrifying, they often happen with far less attention than most might assume. But that doesn’t make them any less dangerous. A concussion, for example, is considered a mild traumatic brain injury (TBI). These injuries happen every day across the U.S., and while many of them are treated appropriately, others go undiagnosed and untreated. This means that thousands of people are unknowingly suffering from the consequences of traumatic brain injuries.The Importance of Brain Injury Awareness Month
This all leads us to Brain Injury Awareness Month, which is observed every March. By knowing how brain injuries happen and how to recognize them, we might be able to prevent the suffering that victims face after a TBI. We’ve created a free guide in honor of this yearly observance. However, the information we provide is useful any time of year. We encourage you to take a couple of minutes to learn more about:- The causes of brain injuries
- Warning signs that a brain injury has occurred
- Long-term consequences of brain injuries
- Legal options for sufferers of brain injuries caused by others
What to Do If You Suspect a Brain Injury
If you suspect that you or someone you love has suffered a brain injury, see a doctor immediately. Treating a brain injury soon after it occurs can lessen some of the effects that sufferers experience. Even if you suspect that an injury might not be severe, never forgo medical treatment. Go to an emergency department immediately and make sure to tell the doctor or nurse how your injury occurred.When Your Brain Injury Is Someone Else’s Fault
When brain injuries are caused by the actions of another person, whether intentional or not, the injured person has the right to consider their legal options. TBIs can be costly, painful, and disabling. If your injuries were someone else’s fault, you should not have to pay the price for their negligence. Filing an injury claim can help you get the money you need from the at-fault party’s insurance company. If you want to discuss your case with an experienced California brain injury lawyer, contact Berg Injury Lawyers today to schedule a free consultation. We want to hear more about your injury, so we can assess your situation and help you learn more about your legal options and how much money you may need to treat your TBI-related injuries both now and in the future. Give us a call or fill out our online contact form to get started with a free, no-obligation case evaluation.We Help TBI Victims Get Maximum Compensation
| December 30th, 2019
Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) affect victims and their entire families, especially when victims are the primary income-earners in their households. TBIs can range in severity, and moderate to severe TBIs can make it difficult or impossible for victims to work. Some may even be unable to live independently and require assistance from family members or healthcare professionals to complete routine, daily tasks. At Berg Injury Lawyers, we’ve seen how devastating TBIs can be for victims and their families. In addition to being emotionally damaging to everyone involved, they can also be extremely expensive. The healthcare costs associated with TBIs can be too much for many families to bear, especially when their affected loved ones can no longer work and earn the paychecks they depended on. Our California brain injury lawyers know all the expenses associated with TBIs, and we fight to help victims and their families get fair compensation. When victims contact us for help, we review all the facts of their claims, including how much their TBIs will cost them and their loved ones in medical bills and lost wages, present and future. We also factor in victims’ pain and suffering due to their injuries, impairments, and disabilities. Then, we negotiate with the insurance company to get a fair settlement. We know that insurance companies are reluctant to give victims the money they deserve after accidents and injuries, but we don’t take no for an answer. When they refuse, we don’t hesitate to take them to court. Contact us today for a free consultation if you or someone you love suffered a TBI. We’re here to help.The Costs of Traumatic Brain Injuries Are Often Overwhelming
| October 21st, 2019
When someone suffers a traumatic brain injury (TBI), the short and long-term consequences aren’t always immediately known. Some victims suffer symptoms that are similar to a concussion, while others may experience permanent and life-changing effects. Victims of serious TBIs can experience a range of disabilities, including cognitive and behavioral changes as well as impaired coordination and fine motor skills. TBI-related complications can make it difficult or even impossible for victims to return to work after their accidents, and that means they and their loved ones won’t get the paychecks they depend on. To make matters worse, the medical bills associated with TBIs are significant and may continue to accumulate for years after the initial accidents occurred. That’s because many victims require ongoing physical and cognitive rehabilitation to regain lost function. At Berg Injury Lawyers, we know how devastating the effects of TBIs can be on victims and their families. That’s why we believe that innocent people should never pay out of pocket after TBIs that weren’t their fault. Our California brain injury lawyers have helped victims get the compensation they deserve after TBIs for decades, and we know how to build claims that get results. You shouldn’t have to suffer financially because of another person’s or party’s negligence. You’ve gone through enough already—now let us fight for your right to get the money you deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation to find out how we can help you and your loved ones during this difficult time.Why You Need a Lawyer After a Traumatic Brain Injury
| August 12th, 2019
Whether you or someone you love recently suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI), it’s important to have experienced legal representation on your side when seeking compensation. TBIs are associated with enormous expenses, including surgeries, physical rehabilitation, and even around-the-clock professional care. Many TBI victims experience impaired fine motor skills or cognitive function, making it difficult or impossible for them to remain in their careers or work in any capacity. When you’re facing expensive medical bills and have lost your family’s source of income, you need to file a compensation claim against the party who was responsible for the TBI. But in most cases, that means filing a claim against their insurance provider—and insurance companies are notoriously strict when it comes to paying settlements. Even if you have plenty of proof that the accident wasn’t your fault and can show how the TBI negatively impacted your life, your claim may still be reduced or denied. Insurance companies want to protect their profits, and they know that ordinary people often have few resources after serious accidents. That’s why they deploy many different tactics to get victims to accept small settlements or to even give up entirely. At Berg Injury Lawyers, our California brain injury attorneys know how insurance companies operate, and we stay one step ahead of them throughout the claims process. Don’t be denied the money you deserve. Get in touch with us today for a free consultation, and let us put our experience to work for you.What Types of Compensation Are Available for Brain Injury Victims?
| June 10th, 2019
All injuries have the potential to have devastating consequences for victims. However, traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are associated with unique challenges and complications. That’s because the detrimental and disabling effects caused by TBIs are often permanent, making it more difficult for victims to work, enjoy the things they once loved, and even live independently. At Berg Injury Lawyers, our California brain injury attorneys fight for the rights of people who suffered TBIs through no fault of their own. Over the years, we’ve helped many families who were dealing with the aftermaths of TBIs, and we’ve seen how disruptive and expensive they can be. That’s why it’s our goal to help victims and their loved ones get maximum compensation for things like:- Medical bills—TBIs are associated with extensive medical care and treatments. Victims often require surgeries and physical rehabilitation, and some may even need around-the-clock medical attention or supervision.
- Lost wages—TBIs can affect victims’ abilities to work in two ways. First, they can lead to cognitive deficits that make it difficult to handle mental workloads. Second, they can interfere with fine motor skills, making it difficult for victims to perform routine tasks at their jobs.
- Pain and suffering—TBIs can dramatically affect victims’ enjoyment of their lives. They may be in constant pain, and they may be unable to participate in their favorite hobbies. They also may be limited in their abilities to spend time with their loved ones.
Your Family Deserves Compensation After a Traumatic Brain Injury
| March 18th, 2019
At Berg Injury Lawyers, it’s our goal to help people who were hurt through no fault of their own get the compensation they need for their medical bills and lost wages. The expenses that injury victims incur can differ from case to case, but one type of injury that almost always results in a huge financial burden is a traumatic brain injury (TBI). When people suffer TBIs, they often experience a wide range of debilitating and disabling complications. Their personalities may change, they may lose fine motor skills, and they may even suffer from cognitive impairments. In severe cases, victims even lose the ability to live independently. When victims can’t work and require frequent, even around-the-clock medical care, it can be financially devastating for them and their loved ones. Our California brain injury lawyers have helped many families in that situation, and we want to help you, too. Whether your or your loved one’s TBI occurred in an auto accident, because of medical malpractice, or due to poor workplace safety, our legal team is ready to give you the care and attention you deserve. We can calculate how much money you’re owed because of the person’s or party’s negligence, and we’ll do everything we can to help you get every penny you deserve. Trust our experience and track record of success. We know how serious TBIs are, and we know how to build claims that get results. Contact us today for a free consultation.
