Many people in Virginia are recovering from traumatic brain injuries, also known as “TBIs.” TBIs are a common injury in car crashes, but they can also be caused by slip-and-fall accidents, workplace accidents and physical assault.
If you have a mild TBI, you may be able to make a full recovery with proper rest and medical care. One of the most important things to remember is to try to avoid hitting your head again. Multiple TBIs within a short period of time can make full recovery much more difficult.
Here are some other important things to remember about TBI:
#1: Walk carefully
A TBI can cause you to have walking and balancing issues. Since it’s important to avoid falling after a TBI, you should take each step carefully and maybe even try to avoid crowds. Some people use assistive devices after brain injuries just to ensure that they don’t fall.
#2: Speak slowly and deliberately
You may find that it’s difficult to say what you want to say after suffering from a TBI. Although it can be frustrating, try to speak deliberately even if that means talking a bit slow. Practice and time should improve your speech abilities.
#3: Be kind to yourself
Emotional symptoms of TBI may cause you to feel extremely sad or angry out of nowhere. It’s important to be kind to yourself and remember that things are not as bad as you may feel at the moment. TBI is not a degenerative brain condition, so your symptoms are likely to improve.
Costs of TBI
There can be a lot of costs associated with a TBI. Some people lose their careers after suffering from a TBI because they are no longer able to perform the job functions they were trained for. Doctor’s appointments, physical therapy, speech therapy and other treatments can add up. If your TBI was caused by another person’s reckless or intentional actions, you may be able to sue them for financial compensation.