Accidents that cause brain injuries understandably cause concerns for any individual, especially a child. Understanding the long-term impact of pediatric traumatic brain injuries can help us see the extent of the injury and how it is a life-changing event. Childhood years are important for developmental, physical, cognitive, mental, and emotional growth. Any injury to the brain can cause irreversible damage and affect the growth or development of a child.
Although brain injury severity and its impact vary, all head injuries are serious and can affect an individual for many years. At The Law Offices of JG Winter, our legal team has helped many injured children and their families in California to recover the compensation owed to them from enduring a traumatic brain injury.
How Traumatic Brain Injuries Affect Children
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is any injury in the form of a bump, blow, jolt, or penetrating injury to the head. Some TBIs are considered mild, such as a concussion, where individuals typically do not lose consciousness for long. Head injuries can result from many different events during childhood. These causes include car accidents, falls, acts of violence or direct impact on the head, sport injuries, or other related accidents.
An accident that affects an individual’s head may cause an abnormal effect on brain function or may disrupt the normal processes of the brain. For a developing child, this is very serious, as it may stunt the growth of a brain’s full development. Infants, toddlers and children with TBI will show changes in behavior, sleep patterns, ability to communicate, and other aspects of their well-being. The impact, however, does not stop after the recovery period or possible therapy they may need to regain their normal state.
Long-Term Effects of a Childhood TBI
Research has shown that kids’ head trauma is linked with psychiatric disorders and financial issues as adults, and children with serious head trauma are more likely to suffer serious problems, including premature death during later years. In addition, between 80,000 and 90,000 of people that suffer a TBI each year develop disabilities related to the TBI they endured. Understanding how serious a TBI is and how lengthy the recovery may become can help those families whose children suffered a head injury from a serious accident.
Long-term effects of a childhood TBI can include:
- Anxiety and feelings of being overwhelmed
- Head pain
- Loss of balance or dizziness episodes
- Sensitivity to light and noise
- Mood and personality changes
- Other effects and latent signs or symptoms
Depending on the severity of a child’s accident and the extent of their head injury, the long-term effects may vary. Initially, the signs and symptoms may be evident and related to their head trauma. However, as time progresses, the extent of the brain injury and its effects may appear differently. It is important to continue follow up appointments with a doctor to ensure that the child’s development is progressing as it should and that any necessary treatment for long-term effects are helping them regain a sense of well-being. Neglecting to care for the symptoms and long-term effects of a TBI can lead to serious complications for any individual.
Complications of a Brain Injury
Despite some TBIs needing temporary treatment, the recovery period goes beyond a hospital stay or rehabilitation time. Complications from brain injuries can lead to mental health issues and other overall health effects that change an individual’s daily life. This is difficult for children because their healthy development is crucial to gaining the necessary brain function, social habits, and behaviors. Children with brain injuries often struggle in school and in social environments.
In addition to an interruption of daily life, a child may struggle with understanding how their body is affected by head trauma and what this means. Parents and family members that care for the child may also experience the emotional, mental, and social effects of caring for a child who has suffered trauma. In the long run, childhood head injuries may affect an adolescent and adult’s daily life and well-being.
Contact the Law Offices of JG Winter After a Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury Accident
The Law Offices of JG Winter have helped many clients within the Folsom and Sacramento communities in California. Our attorney Jeremy G. Winter understands the hardship and difficulty that a traumatic brain injury causes. Regardless of how the injury occured, a brain injury during childhood years can cause difficulties and long-term effects for injured individuals.
If your child has experienced a traumatic head injury caused during an accident, the liable parties can be held responsible if you take legal action and file a personal injury claim. You may contact our office by filling out a contact form or call our Sacramento office at (844) 734-2626 to schedule a free consultation.