If you have a loved one who has suffered a traumatic brain injury due to another person’s negligence, you know full well that he or she is not the only victim. You are too as you are also coping with the changes this TBI has had and will continue to have on your family and your future. The losses you and they have experienced likely feel more than you can bear, and it is completely understandable to feel that way.
When people talk about TBIs, they discuss the cognitive, physical and emotional changes the victim goes through. They rarely discuss how difficult it is to be a family member caring for someone going through all of these changes. The simple truth is being the caregiver of someone with a TBI can take a serious toll on one’s life.
Common effects of a TBI
Traumatic brain injuries vary in their severity and may affect people differently. Some TBI sufferers experience:
- Memory problems
- Reduced attention span
- Loss of communication skills
- Body weakness
- Paralysis — full or partial
- Poor muscle coordination
- Limited social skills
- Mood swings
- Depression
The list of common effects of TBIs is actually quite extensive and goes well beyond the things mentioned above. The overall point is a lot can go wrong and there are no guarantees that what is lost will be regained as the victim recovers.
The effects on the caregiver
Caring for a TBI victim can be emotionally, physically and financially exhausting. Self-care is important for a caregiver to keep going, but few feel they possess the time to concentrate on themselves when their loved one requires so much assistance. Too many people lack the support they require, and few have the funds to seek outside help. It is simply an overwhelming situation to be in.
You may not have to go it alone
If an act of negligence caused your loved one’s TBI, you may be entitled to seek compensation for their and your losses. You may do this by filing a personal injury, medical malpractice or any other applicable claim in a Colorado civil court on behalf of the victim. As an affected loved one, you may also file additional claims for the damages this injury has caused you — whether they are economic or non-economic in nature.
Cases like this are often settled through out-of-court negotiations. Legal counsel will have the ability to look at the losses the victim and your family have suffered and will suffer down the line to determine what level of compensation seems appropriate. If negotiations fail to achieve that or near that level of compensation, litigating the matter may be necessary to seek maximum relief.
