How Can I Help a Loved One Who is Suffering from a Traumatic Brain Injury?

Never make an assumption about another’s traumatic brain injury. The term “traumatic brain injury,” often shortened to TBI, covers a wide range of injuries. These injuries can be fairly mild or severe to the point of being life-threatening. Remember, hearing an individual refer to his or her injury as a concussion does not automatically mean it is a mild injury. Follow the patient’s lead when determining how to talk about the injury and help him or her and do not be afraid to ask if there is any way you can make the patient more comfortable. What your loved one needs when he or she is suffering from a TBI is your compassion, your support, and most importantly, your friendship.

Traumatic brain injuries can happen as a result of a variety of accidents. Any time the head suffers a direct blow, a brain injury accident can occur. If you or somebody you know is suffering after being involved in a TBI accident caused by another party’s negligence or reckless behavior, you or that loved one could be entitled to receive monetary compensation through a TBI lawsuit. After receiving an appropriate diagnosis and adequate medical care for the injury, contact an experienced Long Island brain injury lawyer to discuss the possibility of filing and pursuing a claim to recover the economic damages caused by the injury. You may be entitled to compensation through a TBI legal settlement.

Recognizing TBI Symptoms

In many cases, a TBI can go unnoticed by the patient until those around him or her point out his or her changed behavior. This is part of what makes TBIs so dangerous; unlike other injuries, they cannot be seen by the naked eye. A victim suffering from a TBI might otherwise appear to be completely normal: walking, speaking, and otherwise operating as he or she normally does. This is why it is so important to seek emergency medical attention as soon as possible after any accident where the head is struck.

Symptoms of a TBI include the following:

• Sleeping too much or too little;
• Moodiness;
• Irritability;
• Slurred speech;
• Blurry vision;
• Confusion;
• Forgetfulness;
• Nausea;
• Fainting;
• Fatigue;
• Anxiety; and
• Balance problems.

Anybody can be a victim of a traumatic brain injury. Every year, approximately 2.4 million Americans suffer this type of injury. The leading causes of TBIs in the United States are as follows:

• Falls (35.2%);
• Motor vehicle collisions (17.3%);
• Strikes with or against solid objects (16.5%); and
• Assaults (10%).

Helping a Loved One with a Traumatic Brain Injury

There are a lot of ways you can help a loved one who is recovering from a traumatic brain injury. If he or she is married or otherwise lives with a partner, ask his or her partner about how you can help. Depending on the severity of your loved one’s injury and other household circumstances, you could be asked to provide a lot of hands-on help or simply stand by and be a friend.

Ask your loved one how you can help but also try to be aware of needs he or she might not be communicating. A previously self-sufficient adult might have reservations about asking for help with mundane household tasks like cleaning up and cooking meals. Be proactive and if you see that he or she needs help with these tasks, volunteer to help. But most importantly, communicate with your loved one to ensure that you are not going against his or her wishes with your help.

Offer to Drive Them to Places they Need to Go

Find time in your day or week to drive your loved one to the store or pharmacy to pick up supplies or, if you are available, his or her doctor’s appointments. If your loved one is feeling up to it, offer to take him or her out to get lunch or see a movie. Getting out of the house can make him or her feel better and break the monotony that often comes with recovering from a substantial injury.

Bring Things to your Loved One

If taking your loved one out for errands is not an option, offer to pick up what he or she needs and bring it to him or her. Whether it is groceries and medication or simply a cup of coffee, offering to deliver goods is a meaningful way to show your loved one that you care. Show up to his or her home with a movie or a book that he or she can enjoy when you are not there.

Offer to Watch his or her Children

If your loved one is a parent, especially a single parent, ease some of his or her burden during recovery by offering to watch the children. Whether you spend a few hours with the children or take them for a whole weekend, your offer to babysit will undoubtedly be appreciated.

Take Care of his or her Domestic Needs

Offer to clean up your loved one’s home. While you do this, see what else you can do to help. Maybe your loved one needs his or her lawn mowed or his or her plants watered. Consider doing the following:

• Bringing in the mail;
• Caring for your loved one’s pets;
• Making small household repairs; and
• Cooking meals for your loved one.

If he or she lives alone, consider cooking a large meal that can be portioned out so he or she has a supply of ready-to-eat meals.

Long Island Brain Injury Lawyers Who Understand TBI Legal Issues

If you are suffering from a traumatic brain injury after an accident, contact our team of experienced personal injury attorneys at Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP. We are an experienced Long Island personal injury firm that can help you get the money you need to pay for your medical bills, lost wages, and disability aids as you work through your TBI recovery. Do not wait to contact our firm. Give us a call today at 866-882-0516 or visit us on the web to schedule your free legal consultation with us.

For a free legal consultation, call 516-358-6900