Most might assume that the need to seek legal action after someone has suffered a traumatic brain injury disappears if the victim appears to have recovered after the incident. “Recovered” is often assumed to be walking, talking and doing all of the activities most associate with a healthy individual. Yet when watching your loved one following their TBI, you may notice something about them just appears to be off. Many have come to us here at The Law Office of Michael J. Joshi having noticed the same thing wondering what sort of assistance may be available to them in dealing with it.
What you are noticing may be a cognitive deficit. Cognition is the capacity to function and communicate in everyday settings (such as at home and in the workplace). People who have suffered brain injuries (even mild TBI) may often develop deficits that make accomplishing the same things they did prior to their accidents difficult. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, common symptoms associated with cognitive deficits include:
- Memory loss
- Poor judgment
- Visual impairments
- Difficulty regulating mood and emotions
- Lack of attention
- Difficulty in analyzing and solving problems
Each of the aforementioned issues can make performing job functions and forming relationships with others extremely difficult. The lack of understanding others may have for your loved one’s cognitive deficits (given that they still appear to be fine and normal) can compound the problem. Yet services such as counseling and occupational rehabilitation may help your family member or friend learn to adequately cope with and manage their cognitive issues. Such assistance can be costly, however, hence the potential need for compensation.
More information on dealing with a loved one’s brain injury can be found throughout our site.