Any type of injury can cause anxiety for a patient and his or her loved ones. But certain types of injuries seem to cause even more concern. Brain injuries are one of those. Because the brain basically affects everything else that happens in the human body, an injury to that organ can be among the most serious that someone can suffer.
Because of the potential for permanent damage from a brain injury, a diagnostic tool has been developed for the use of medical professionals examining a person with a suspected brain injury.
The Glasgow Coma Scale has 15 points of criteria to assess the presence and extent of a brain injury. Three of the most important criteria are whether the patient can follow directions, speak clearly and move eyes and limbs in a normal manner.
Other than the objective criteria used in the Glasgow Coma Scale, a series of tests can provide even more data. CT scans and MRIs can be essential parts of diagnosis and help determine immediate treatment. But even less severe injuries can require careful treatment. Even movement of the head and neck can produce additional damage.
Any type of brain injury may require extensive rehabilitation. Numerous professionals may be involved in the patient’s recovery, including psychiatrists, occupational and physical therapists, speech pathologists, neuropsychologists and even social workers to help plan future care and employment possibilities for the patient.
Given the many possible treatments of a brain injury and the number of professionals that may be required for the rehabilitation of the patient, it is inevitable that the medical treatment will be costly. When the brain injury is the result of an incident that was caused by someone else, the other party may be responsible for some or all of those expenses.
In Texas, if you or a loved one has sustained a brain injury and wonder whether someone else may be sued for those expenses and other damages, an attorney experienced in this type of litigation can advise you of your options. Anything that can help ease the potentially life-long effects of a brain injury can be essential to the future of the victim and his or her loved ones.
Source: The Spectrum, “Follow tips to fight brain injuries,” Oct. 13, 2014
