A traumatic brain injury (TBI) can have long-term impacts on a person’s health and well-being. It can cause disabilities and motor deficits that can affect victims for the rest of their lives.
The terms “disabilities” and “motor deficits” are sometimes used interchangeably. However, a disability can impact a person’s mental or physical functions. A motor deficit refers specifically to a person’s motor skills, i.e. their movement (or lack thereof).
A person with a TBI may suffer from paralysis, muscle stiffness (spasticity), difficulty with speech or vision and problems with swallowing, among other difficulties. Their fine motor skills needed for things like typing, holding small objects and buttoning clothing can also be impacted.
Some of the most severe impacts may not be physical. For example, people who have suffered a TBI sometimes have difficulty remembering things. A TBI can impact a person’s ability to think. Their family, social and professional relationships often suffer. Some people aren’t able to continue in school or in their job.
Fortunately, these impacts may not last forever. Depending on the severity of the injury, when TBI patients have good medical care and a team of experienced rehabilitation professionals, they may be able to regain some — if not all — of the functions they lost. If not, they can learn to adjust to a “new normal” with assistive devices like wheelchairs.
All of this, of course, costs money. If a TBI was caused by someone else’s actions or negligence, it’s wise to explore your legal options for seeking compensation. When doing so, it’s important to factor in all of the potential long-term impacts and their financial cost. An experienced attorney can help you do that to help ensure that you get the compensation you need for your post-TBI life.