Over the past two decades, it has become more apparent than ever before that the consequences of a traumatic brain injury (TBI) – no matter how mild – are often far more complex than one would initially assume. After all, bones heal after being broken, organs can rebound from surgical intervention, and even skin can be regrown after being burned away. Yet, the brain is a singular part of an individual body and it simply does not heal in some of the ways that virtually every other part of one’s anatomy can.
For example, recent research indicates that repeated concussions can impact both cardiac function and the so-called “heart-brain axis.” This reality serves as just one more piece of evidence that traumatic brain injuries cause stress to the entire body, not just the brain itself.
What Happens To The Heart?
When the head sustains and injury, the body sends signals to the heart to speed up due to the need for a “fight, flight, or freeze” response to sincere danger. When these kinds of intense signals get sent to the heart repeatedly due to concussive activity, temporary, semi-permanent, and/or permanent changes to heart function and the nervous system can occur. In a nutshell, repeated trauma to the brain causes repeated trauma elsewhere in the body too.
Addressing The Aftermath Of A Brain Injury
As an experienced brain injury lawyer – including those who practice at Des Moines Injury Law – can confirm, the costs associated with recovering from a brain injury can range from inconvenient to astronomical. As the information above indicates, dealing with medical challenges related to one’s initial recovery may only be a small part of a TBI victim’s story. The entire body, one’s career, home life, hobbies, and a host of other pursuits may be affected as well.
The overall financial impact of a TBI on a victim’s finances can be staggering. Medical expenses, which include emergency treatment, hospitalization, rehabilitation, and ongoing care, can quickly accumulate. Beyond immediate medical costs, there are often long-term expenses such as continued therapy, medication, and potential home care needs. Lost income due to inability to work, either temporarily or permanently, adds to these financial burdens. Additionally, there may be costs associated with modifying homes for accessibility, transportation for medical appointments, and specialized equipment.
Partially due to the sheer cost of TBI recovery, if the TBI was caused by an accident or incident that involved another party’s negligence or wrongdoing, taking legal action might be necessary. This could include situations like car accidents, workplace injuries, sports injuries, or slip and fall accidents. Pursuing legal action can help secure compensation to cover medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages. Consulting with a legal professional who is experienced in personal injury and TBI cases is, therefore, important for TBI victims in the wake of sustaining harm. The process of recovery is burdensome enough without adding financial devastation to the mix.
Ultimately, while the journey following a TBI can be challenging, proper management of any challenges that arise – usually by seeking necessary medial and legal support – can significantly alleviate one’s burdens and aid in the recovery and rehabilitation process.
