3 Traumatic Brain Injury Recovery Stages

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) often occurs in serious motor vehicle accidents and especially with motorcycle accidents. The three main stages of traumatic brain injuries are known as acute, subacute and chronic. Treatments for each stage vary depending on severity and proper diagnosis. If a brain injury is caused by the carelessness of another, you need to contact a specialized brain injury lawyer for severe cases, as many insurance companies do not cover rehabilitation and medical bills will skyrocket without bound.

If your accident was in Ohio, contact our local offices for a free consultation to review your case. Contact us via email or call us at 800-218-4243.

 

Motorcycles are fun to ride but pose certain dangers on the road. They don’t afford much protection against bodily harm. If you’ve been in a motorcycle accident, it is important that you begin medical treatment as soon as possible. If you have sustained moderate to severe injuries, chances are you will need intensive care followed by some form of neurosurgery. Treatment depends on the particular recovery stage you are in. Initially, you will need to be stabilized and treatment will focus on preventing further damage and then later rehabilitation. If your brain injury is caused by the carelessness of another person you will need to contact a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible to determine if you are eligible for compensation. At Chester Law Group, our specialized motorcycle accident lawyers are experienced in these kinds of cases and will guide you through the necessary medical and legal steps to file for a personal injury settlement.

The three stages of recovery to traumatic brain injuries and their symptoms include acute, subacute, and chronic. The acute stage involves the initial trauma that happened and medical treatment will focus on stabilizing the patient to prevent further damage as little can be done to undo the initial injury. Subacute and chronic stages follow the acute stage and the main treatment at this point is rehabilitation.

Some medical facilities are better equipped to handle certain TBI’s than others. Hopefully, the paramedics can get you to a good facility. During your transport to the hospital and in the hospital, the initial concern is to ensure you have a proper oxygen supply, maintaining the proper brain blood flow and controlling increases in intracranial pressure due to inflammation.

As the internal brain pressure increases, brain herniation can occur destroying brain matter. When brain pressure increases it is possible for parts of the brain to be pushed through holes in the skull creating what is called brain herniation. You will be monitored for seizure activity. It is important that seizure complications are managed properly.

 

ACUTE TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY STAGE

During the acute phase, a form of brain imaging, such as a CT scan, should be done usually within 72 hours of your accident. A catheter is usually placed into the brain to allow for measuring intracranial pressure to be measured as well as allow extra fluid accumulation to drain. Maintaining normal internal brain pressure is necessary to prevent further brain damage.

Low blood pressure (hypotension) can occur and has severe consequences in TBI’s. Intravenous fluids are administered to maintain normal blood pressure throughout the body and brain. Patients with traumatic brain injury are more sensitive to medications and need to be monitored continuously for signs of adverse responses and loss of consciousness.

Surgery may be required to remove blood clots (hematomas and contusions) or to remove objects that have penetrated the brain. Blood clot masses that cause shifts in brain matter is a serious emergency so they must remove as soon as possible and may require removal of parts of your skull to do so.

 

SUBACUTE TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY STAGE

For subacute and chronic stages of recovery, some form of physical therapy is used and often will involve muscle strengthening exercises. Once you have been stabilized from the acute phase (intensive care) chances are you will be transferred to a subacute rehabilitation unit within the hospital or perhaps to an independent center.

Rehabilitation may take days, months to years depending on the severity of your brain injury. Rehabilitation is meant to improve your current physical and mental losses so that you can function to some extent in spite of your disabilities. You might need a team of specialists from the allied health fields such as speech and language therapists, physical therapists, occupational therapists (to train you for other work), and mental health therapists.

It is common for TBI patients to go through clinical depression and experience emotional problems. Initially, your treatment will be as inpatient rehabilitation and then later can become an outpatient situation. Individuals who cannot live independently or with family might require assisted living housing or assisted living professionals in your home.

As you can see, motorcycle accidents can be quite involved in terms of initial medical care and of course long-term care in terms of rehabilitation. Many insurance companies do not cover rehabilitation or only cover it minimally. You really need legal assistance. Make sure to contact a personal injury law firm as soon as possible to find out what your rights are.

 

CONTACTING A LOCAL LAW FIRM

If you have been seriously hurt in a car, truck, or motorcycle accident and have experienced a traumatic brain injury, you may be entitled to financial compensation for pain and suffering, medical bills and lost wages. These types of accidents often involve long-term medical care and severe pain, so you need to consider compensation for continued medical care and loss of your ability to earn wages in the future.

The Chester Law Group is a personal injury law firm experienced in a car, truck, and motorcycle accidents involving brain and spinal injury and can guide you through a personal injury settlement. It is important that you consult with an experienced brain injury attorney before you attend a Defense Medical Exam (DME) and don’t ask the defense doctor for advice. Make sure you keep a record of all your medical documents as they will serve as evidence for your case. Your personal injury attorney will advise you every step of the way.

Contact the Chester Law Group today at 800-218-4243 and let us discuss your legal options.