Cognition refers to the thinking process. Whether you are trying to decide whether to have chocolate or vanilla ice cream, or solving quadratic equations, each is a function of cognition. In a brain that has suffered a traumatic injury, cognition or the ability to think and know, act on what you think, remember what you know, process the stimuli that you are presented with, all of those abilities can become damaged and in some cases never fully recovered.
The after effects of TBI include problems with attention, concentration, speech and language, learning, memory reasoning, planning and problem-solving. (Brainline.org) While some of these challenges are common, each person faces their own individual problems as they recover from a traumatic brain injury.
Cognitive challenges facing those recovering from traumatic brain injury
The Brain Injury Resource Center describes the following cognitive and communication problems that can result from TBI:
Problems with executive functions, which can prevent the injured person from being able to take care of themselves, perform useful work, or maintain normal relationships.
Language problems may include:
- difficulty finding words
- inability to form sentences
- lack of understanding or inability to think of the right word
- Difficulty understanding jokes, or figures of speech
People suffering from TBI may have long–term problems learning and remembering new information, planning and organizing their thoughts and their lives, and problems with reasoning, problem-solving and judgement.
One of the biggest challenges that comes with traumatic brain injury in the long term is that it is an invisible disability. People who are suffering with cognitive deficiencies from TBI may at first glance appear to be perfectly normal and fully recovered from their injury, but their brain does not allow them to function in the way it once did and often the injured person is aware of this and it causes immense frustration.
When a person has suffered a head injury in an accident that was the result of the negligence of another person, the injured person may be able to take legal action against the responsible party and recover compensation for their injuries and other losses. In addition to compensation for their pain and suffering, they can receive damages for emotional distress, lost income, medical expenses and other expenses related to the injury.
A knowledgeable Nashville TBI attorney from the Rocky McElhaney Law Firm can discuss your case and explain what legal options are available to you depending on the facts of your case. If the brain injury is severe enough that you are unable to attend to your own needs, return to the work you did prior to your injury or lead a normal life, we will fight for the maximum compensation available to make sure that your needs are taken care of.
Given that the brain governs every function of the body, when it suffers a serious blow, that injury can have a lasting impact in the person’s life. If you or someone you care for has buffered a TBI as a result of someone else’s negligence, we invite you to contact us or call 615.246.5549 to schedule a free consultation with a skilled Nashville TBI attorney today in one of our offices in Nashville, Gallatin or Knoxville.
