Of all the injuries that a person may suffer in a New York City car accident, traumatic brain injury ranks as probably the most devastating. This type of injury is commonly caused by a fall, or due to high-speed impact such as in contact sports or in a car or truck or bus accident.
Of all the injuries that a person may suffer in a New York City car accident, traumatic brain injury ranks as probably the most devastating. This type of injury is commonly caused by a fall, or due to high-speed impact such as in contact sports or in a car or truck or bus accident.
Brain injuries may also be an outcome of an explosion, or a violent assault or some other form of abuse. The severity of a brain injury and the symptoms that show up often vary based on the situation that caused the injury and it is vital that one gets quick and adequate medical attention to avoid long-term consequences. Persons who suffer a traumatic brain injury in New York may start behaving in a manner that is quite different from their normal demeanor. This can pose a huge challenge for those who are involved in caring for them. However, with a little understanding of how the injury affects the brain, you can equip yourself with the necessary skills and develop your own care-giving techniques. Read on to know more about how to care for a dear one with a TBI in New York.
What are the Types of Brain Injury Possible in New York Accidents?
All brain injuries involve damage to the brain that occurs when some external force is exerted on the head. Any event in which an object penetrates into the head or situations in which the head is crushed, or dealt a forceful blow can all cause a brain injury. The major types of traumatic brain injuries are:
- Open wound brain injury or penetration brain injury in which the brain is penetrated. There is a huge risk of infection because the brain has been exposed by breaking of the skull.
- Closed brain injury or closed head injury involves a sharp blow on the skull which causes a battering of the brain but no penetration. Concussions are a type of closed head injury that are commonly encountered in falls and car accidents in New York City.
- Crushing brain injury in which the brain and the skull are both crushed between two objects. This type of TBI is the most dangerous but thankfully, not very common.
What are the Changes Likely to Occur following a Traumatic Brain Injury?
Traumatic brain injuries can cause several changes in the affected individual. Some of these may be short-lived while others are likely to be permanent, depending on the nature and extent of the injury. In most cases, a TBI will lead to difficulties such as:
- Changes in sensations especially those associated with the senses of taste, touch, and smell
- Difficulty in communication due to speech impairment
- Impairment of the ability to think and reason
- Loss of memory of varying degrees
- Problems with understanding and expressing one’s thoughts
- Emotional issues such as anxiety and depression that may find expression through acting out, aggression or withdrawal from social contact
- Changes in personality
Adjusting to a loved one’s change in behavior due to the TBI can be tough, but with a little empathy and effort, you can learn to deal with such situations.
Help the Injured Person Structure their Routine
For someone who has suffered a TBI, the loss of control over their life can prove overwhelming. In order to help them cope with the new situation, try to get them to establish a daily routine that factors in the circumstances. Make sure their activities are well-spaced with frequent short breaks to cope with the fatigue they may feel. Encourage them to maintain the same routine every day because the familiarity will serve as an anchor against the distress and uncertainty they are likely to experience.
Treat Your Loved One with Empathy to Help their Recovery
Dealing with the aftereffects of a traumatic brain injury can be devastating for New York City accident victims. Not only do they have to deal with the physical repercussions of their injury, they also have to get used to being dependant on another individual to get even routine tasks completed. This can prove extremely stressful and having a caregiver talking down to them, or ignoring them and leaving them out of conversations can only make the TBI victim feel worse. Such emotional upheaval can lead to further issue such as anxiety or mood swings or depression. To avoid triggering such problems, it is important that you try and include your loved one in family activities to the greatest extent possible. Speak to them in a normal way, with a loving tone, and be helpful without being obtrusive.
Keep Patience While You Help the Injured Person Heal
Brain injury is a complex area and it can be difficult to predict how it affects any person. As a caregiver it is important for you to realize that your loved one may behave a particular way one day, and quite differently the next. What you told them one day may slip from their memory and you may find yourself having to repeat the same instructions or information time and again. While it can be a huge challenge to stay unaffected by this, it is vital that you understand the difficulty your loved one is going through, and try to be as patient as possible when interacting with them. TBI victims are prone to negative emotions such as frustrations or confusion and if they express such emotions or exhibit mood swings, the caregiver must handle all these with maturity, without taking it personally.
Assist Your Loved One to Cope with Memory Loss
Brain injuries often lead to memory loss and the affected person can find it difficult to remember whether they kept their things, and to stay organized. They may also forget appointments, or find themselves unable to cope with simple everyday tasks of daily life. In order to help them cope with such problems triggered by a loss of memory, you can encourage them to use the following methods:
- Make lists of things that need to be done, or appointments they need to keep
- Label baskets, cabinets, and drawers so that they know where they can find something they need
- Set up reminders using the cell phone
Another way to deal with the memory loss is for the caregiver to carefully break down each activity into small steps and explain each step in detail so that your loved one finds it easy to do the activity. However, while doing this, it is critical that you avoid using a condescending or harsh tone so as to avoid upsetting your loved one.
Ensure Your Loved One Leads as Active a Life as Possible
After suffering a traumatic brain injury, it is natural for the affected person to want to withdraw into a shell, staying home doing nothing. Giving in to such impulses can cause feelings of anxiety and depression to aggravate. In order to avoid such a situation, encourage your loved one to engage in activities that they can safely manage. Get them out of home for a few hours and have them interact with other people who are empathetic and loving. The only thing you need to ensure is that the activities they undertake should not cause a worsening of their condition. If your loved one has grown sensitive to light and sound after the TBI, take them to quiet places instead of crowded venues.
Consult an Experienced Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyer in New York City
Traumatic brain injuries tend to be life-altering injuries and many victims are known to suffer from long-term or permanent disability. If your loved one has suffered a TBI in an accident, or due to a fall, or after some form of blunt trauma to the head due to the negligence of another person, you must consult a personal injury attorney in New York City regarding a lawsuit. After your dear one suffering such a grave injury and having your entire life thrown out of gear, it is natural to feel devastated. Having to deal with all the complex legality involved in claiming damages may appear quite intimidating in such a situation. But if you have an experienced and resourceful New York personal injury law firm representing you, you can rest assured that they will handle your case with the care necessary to ensure that you win maximum compensation. At Rosenberg, Minc, Falkoff & Wolff, LLP, our brain injury lawyers have extensive knowledge and vast experience in representing TBI victims. We are acutely aware of the financial distress that such situations entail, and our attorneys prepare your case in such a way as to get you the damages you need to maintain the quality of your life even in the future, unaffected by the damage wrought by your loved one’s injury. Whether it is negotiating a fair settlement, or taking your case to court, our dependable New York TBI injury lawyers will provide you with all the support you require. Call us today at 212-344-1000 or contact us online for a free and confidential case review and to explore how we can help you.
