What To Do After Being Diagnosed With Traumatic Acquired Brain Injury

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More than 1.5 million of your fellow Canadians live with the effects of acquired brain injuries with another 160,000 people being diagnosed each year. Acquired brain injury can be caused by illnesses and disorders, such as meningitis, encephalitis and strokes, or it can be the result of a car accident, a fall or a sports injury. Whatever its cause, ABI may cause chronic pain, seizures, impaired speech and other physical changes in a person as well as altering a person’s ability to make decisions, think or learn. The effects of ABI can change the life of the afflicted person as well as altering the lives of family members and caregivers.

Common causes of traumatic acquired brain injury

It does not take much to cause a serious and debilitating injury to the brain. Slipping on an icy sidewalk or falling off a bicycle is all it takes to cause a traumatic acquired brain injury. A traumatic ABI is defined as brain damage occurring after birth and unrelated to either a degenerative or congenital disease.

A sudden blow to the head or a violent jolt to the body could disrupt brain function causing an ABI. The few seconds it takes for an injury to occur can change your life forever by leaving you with cognitive and physical impairment.

Some of the most common causes of traumatic ABI include the following:

  • Falls
  • Car and truck accidents
  • Sports and leisure activities
  • Assaults, including gunshot wounds

The effects of a traumatic ABI could range from mild to severe depending upon the extent of the damage it causes to the brain.

How trauma affects the brain

Damage to the brain may occur even in the absence of any visible signs of injury to a person after an accident or violent event. The brain floats within the skull protected by layers of membrane. A blow to the head, as might happen in a car crash when an occupant’s head strikes a window or the frame of the vehicle, may cause the brain to move and strike against the skull. However, damage to the brain may occur simply without anything coming in contact with a person’s head.

If a car travelling at highway speeds collides with another vehicle or with a signpost or other stationary object, the force of the impact could cause an occupant’s head to suddenly come to a stop. The brain, however, continues to move within the skull, which causes it to be damaged. This same principle applies to sporting events in which a person’s movement suddenly comes to a halt either from colliding with another participant or with a stationary object.

Symptoms associated with traumatic ABI

Concussion is a common form of mild traumatic ABI. Symptoms may differ from one person to another and could include the following:

  • Headache
  • Disrupted sleep
  • Fatigue
  • Dizziness
  • Memory impairment

The symptoms of a concussion could last for days or continue for years after an accident depending upon the extent of the injury to the brain.

Individuals with more severe damage to the brain could experience a loss of consciousness, anxiety, depression, irritability and other physical, emotional and cognitive affects from the injury. The effects of traumatic ABI frequently impact the victim’s relationships with family members and friends and could make it difficult or impossible for the individual to return to work or resume a normal lifestyle.

Ontario injury lawyer

If you or a loved has suffered an acquired brain injury through the negligence of another party, obtaining compensation is essential to pay for the care and treatment you need. The personal injury lawyers at Diamond and Diamond have years of experience successfully handling claims for compensation on behalf individuals who have been seriously injured. Learn more about your right to recover compensation by speaking with one of our lawyers. Call the Diamond and Diamond 24/7 injury hotline at 1-800-567-HURT or visit our website to speak to someone now. We have offices located throughout Ontario offering free consultations and case evaluations to injury victims and their families.