Traumatic brain injury’s long-term effects are often underappreciated. Indeed, the International Brain Injury Association reports that there are more than five million people in the U.S. living with the consequences of a TBI. At The Persons Firm, LLC, we put victims and families first. With the legal experience to handle all types of brain injury cases, you can trust us when it matters most. Here, our Marietta personal injury lawyer highlights the most common effects of a traumatic brain injury.
Long-Term Effects of TBI
Cognitive Impairment
A TBI can cause serious long-term cognitive challenges. Indeed, cognitive deficits are among the most persistent TBI outcomes. Injured victims may experience slowed information processing, impaired executive function, and reduced working memory. Damage to the frontal and temporal lobes disrupts planning, judgment, and problem-solving. Many victims need considerable rehabilitative support to navigate these cognitive challenges. Mental health support may be needed as part of the overall recovery strategy.
Loss of Short-Term Memory
One of the most common symptoms that indicate a concussion is loss of short-term memory. Notably, short-term memory problems can persist as a person recovers from his or her accident. TBIs frequently cause both anterograde and retrograde memory impairment. Hippocampal injury disrupts the consolidation of new memories, while diffuse axonal injury affects retrieval pathways. Injured victims may forget conversations, appointments, or instructions within minutes.
Chronic Headaches (including Migraines)
Post-traumatic headaches persist in a substantial percentage of TBI patients. These headaches may resemble migraines, tension-type headaches, or mixed patterns. Neurovascular dysregulation and central sensitization contribute to ongoing pain. Notably, these post-TBI headaches can be extremely painful, even outright debilitating. Chronic headaches reduce functional capacity and frequently require long-term pharmacologic management.
Emotional and Behavioral Dysregulation
Frontal lobe injury disrupts emotional control and behavioral inhibition. Injured victims may exhibit irritability, impulsivity, aggression, or emotional lability. Small stressors can provoke disproportionate reactions. Family relationships often suffer as personality changes emerge. These effects are neurologically driven, not voluntary behavior. It is not uncommon for injured victims to require behavioral therapy to recover from an accident.
Depression and Mood Disorders
Major depressive disorder is significantly more prevalent after TBI. Neurochemical imbalance, loss of function, and altered self-identity all contribute. Damage to limbic structures interferes with emotional regulation. Depression after TBI is associated with poorer rehabilitation outcomes and, tragically, even an increased suicide risk.
Chronic Anxiety
TBI survivors frequently develop generalized anxiety, panic disorder, or post-traumatic stress symptoms. Injury to the amygdala and prefrontal cortex disrupts fear modulation. Injured victims may experience hypervigilance, sleep disturbance, and avoidance behaviors. Anxiety often worsens cognitive deficits by further impairing attention and memory. Anxiety is a serious mental health issue that can have a big impact on a person’s life.
Insomnia and Other Problems Sleeping
Sleep disorders are common long-term consequences of TBI. Injury to the hypothalamus and brainstem interferes with circadian regulation. Insomnia, hypersomnia, and fragmented sleep frequently occur. Poor sleep exacerbates cognitive impairment, mood instability, and pain perception. Many patients require long-term sleep medicine intervention. A big challenge is that problems with sleep can make all of the other adverse effects of a brain injury even worse. Sleep is absolutely crucial for recovery.
Sensory Processing Abnormalities
TBI can permanently alter sensory integration. Photophobia, phonophobia, and vestibular hypersensitivity are common. Injured victims may experience dizziness, imbalance, or motion intolerance. These symptoms reflect central nervous system dysfunction. In many cases, a person may be required to take time off from work (or even to leave the workforce entirely) because of issues related to sensory processing. If you are struggling with sensory processing issues related to your brain injury, that should be considered as part of any settlement.
Speech and Language Deficits
Aphasia, dysarthria, and cognitive-communication disorders may persist after TBI. Damage to language networks impairs word retrieval, fluency, and comprehension. Speech may remain slurred or slowed. Even mild expressive deficits undermine professional communication and self-confidence. Long-term speech-language therapy is often required. If you are struggling with any type of speech or language issue, it is imperative that you are able to get the proper care.
Recovering the Maximum Compensation for a TBI
In Georgia, injured victims have the right to seek compensation for the full extent of their injuries, including for any non-economic damages. Do not trust any insurance company to look out for your best interests after a bad accident. They try to fight to settle claims for less. TBI long-term effects must be accounted for as part of a personal injury settlement. Our Marietta, GA traumatic brain injury lawyer is prepared to help you fight for the maximum compensation, including for:
- Property loss
- Ambulance costs
- Emergency room treatment
- Hospital bills
- Medications
- Medical equipment
- Physical therapy
- Mental health support
- Lost wages
- Diminished earning power
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Long-term disability
- Reduced quality of life
Why Trust The Persons Firm for a Traumatic Brain Injury Claim
A traumatic brain injury can cause serious, even life-altering, long-term physical, mental, cognitive, and emotional effects. It is imperative that victims have access to all of the resources that are available to support their recovery. At The Persons Firm, LLC, we are committed to putting injured victims first. With more than $100 million in settlements and verdicts, our case results tell the story of what we can do for you and your family. From our conveniently located law office in Marietta, we are well-positioned to handle TBI injury claims throughout the broader region in Georgia.
Contact Our Marietta, GA TBI Attorney for a Free Case Review
At The Persons Firm, LLC, our Marietta personal injury attorney has the knowledge, skills, and experience to take on TBI cases. If you or your loved one suffered a serious TBI in an accident, we can help. Contact us right away for a free, no obligation initial consultation. With a law office in the 30060 zip code of Marietta, we handle traumatic brain injury claims throughout the region, including in 30061, 30062, 30063, 30064, 30065, and 30066.