In a single year, 50,000 people lose their lives, 280,000 are people hospitalized and 2.2 million people are seen in emergency rooms: these statistics from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) show the impact of head injuries in the United States. The magnitude of these statistics is worthy of discussion; particularly since a traumatic head injury can be the result of car accidents, slip and fall accidents and assaults.
Head Injuries Pose Potential for Long-Term Consequences to the victim.
While a head injury can have immediate repercussions for victims including headaches, temporary memory loss and feelings of sleepiness, the long-term consequences should not be ignored. Even those victims who suffer very mild symptoms of a head injury after a car accident need to use caution; repeat head trauma has been associated with higher incidence of Parkinson’s Disease and Alzheimer’s Disease. Those with severe head injuries immediately after an accident can suffer from:
- Problems with thought – some victims are unable to use their power of reasoning and may have long or short-term memory problems.
- Problems with sensation – it is possible to have difficulty maintaining balance and vision problems after a head injury.
- Problems with language – victims often have problems communicating and in some cases comprehending language.
These are only some of the potential problems that a victim of a head injury can face and none of them should ever be taken lightly.
When Head Injuries Impact Your Life
In a severe case of a traumatic head injury, a victim may need round-the-clock nursing care, be unable to communicate with family members and may be unable to return to work. These are very serious outcomes; they impact the family and the victim emotionally and financially. This is why anyone who suffers a head injury due to someone’s negligence needs to consider reaching out to a personal injury attorney.
Victims should not have to deal with the financial burden associated with care after a traumatic head injury. A personal injury attorney should be contacted to determine if you have the grounds for a civil lawsuit. Should an attorney determine a suit can go forward, you may be entitled to compensation for medical costs, rehabilitation costs and for lost wages.