What Are the Long-Term Effects of Traumatic Brain Injury?
March 11, 2025
Causes of Traumatic Brain Injury
According to the Mayo Clinic, “Traumatic brain injury occurs when an external mechanical force causes brain dysfunction.” They usually are a result of a violent hit on the head or jolt to the body. Additionally, traumatic brain injuries can occur when an object penetrates the skull.
In The Article
What is Considered a Traumatic Brain Injury?
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is one of the most common causes of disability and death in adults, but it’s a broad term that can describe a lot of different types of injuries. TBI can range in severity from a mild concussion to a severe trauma leading to death.
There are two types of TBI. A closed brain injury is when there is damage to the brain without causing penetration to the skill. It’s generally caused by the brain being rapidly shook inside the skull. This can result in tearing of blood vessels and brain tissue.
A penetrating brain injury is just what it sounds like. It happens when there are open head wounds with a break in the skull. The most common example of a penetrating brain injury is when a bullet pierces the skull.
In personal injury law, the most common TBIs are caused by car accidents and slip and fall injuries.
What are the Symptoms of Traumatic Brain Injury?
The most common signs of TBI are headache, confusion, and dizziness. However, other signs can include irritability and frustration.
While some signs of TBI may come after an accident, it’s essential to seek medical attention if you’re feeling any physical, cognitive, perception symptoms.
Physical Signs of TBI
- Nausea or vomiting
- Slurred speech
- Weakness in the arms, legs, or face
- Loss of balance
- Unequal pupil size or dilation
- Headache
- Convulsions
- Seizures
- Blurred or double vision
- Clear fluids draining from the nose or eyes
Cognitive or Behavioral Signs of TBI
- Loss of consciousness (even for a few seconds)
- Decreased consciousness (hard to awaken)
- Changes in memory
- Changes in concentration
- Changes in decision making skills
- Changes in sleep patterns
- Frustration
- Irritability
Perception and Sensation Signs of TBI
- Blurred vision
- Hearing problems
- Ringing in the ears
- Vertigo
- Loss of balance
- Mood changes or swings
- Increased agitation, combativeness, or unusual behavior
- Fatigue or drowsiness
- Lack of energy or motivation
- Sensitivity to light or sound
- Unexplained bad taste in the mouth
Are There Long-Term Effects of Traumatic Brain Injury?
According to Johns Hopkins Medical, studies on damaged brain cells show that once brain cells are destroyed or damage, the cannot regenerate (in most cases). In some cases, TBIs can be mild, and symptoms could potentially disappear or lessen over time. However, there are severe brain injuries that can lead to permanent disability and could even require life-long or long-term need for rehabilitation.
Some of the long-term effects of TBI include coma, memory problems, paralysis, spasticity (tightening or shortening of the muscles), tremors, delays in getting started, inability to plan motor movements, decreased awareness of self and others, changes in the senses (hearing, vision, taste, smell, and touch), difficulty understanding where limbs are in relation to the body, aphasia (difficulty with language, speaking, or choosing the right words to say), and more.
The long-term effects of traumatic brain injuries are usually dependent on the location and severity of the injury.
Can You Live a Normal Life After a Brain Injury?
There are a lot of factors that contribute to the possibility and timeline for a full recovery for a traumatic brain injury. How your body responds to therapy also plays a major role in your recovery.
However, there have been people who have suffered TBI who made full recovery and were able to get back to their normal lives. Others have been able to work around the long-term effects of traumatic brain injury to lead normal lives, even though their lives are changed from the injury overall.
Have You Suffered a Traumatic Brain Injury?
Traumatic brain injury is a lifechanging injury that can redefine how you look at the world. If you’ve suffered a traumatic brain injury due to someone else’s negligence, you could be entitled to compensation. For 40 years, Hughes & Coleman Injury Lawyers has helped hundreds of people who suffered from TBIs due to car accidents and slip and fall accidents. We know the trials our clients have faced due to their injuries, and we want nothing more than to help ensure those who have suffered from a TBI are taken care of, and those who caused it are held responsible.
If you’ve been injured and suspect you have a TBI, contact Hughes & Coleman today for a free case evaluation. 800-800-4600.
