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A traumatic brain injury can have drastic consequences for a person’s wellbeing. A brain injury can impact a person’s ability to work, fulfill family responsibilities, and maintain quality of life. Making matters worse, studies have shown brain injuries come with yet another negative effect – an increased risk of developing dementia later in life, including Alzheimer’s disease.
With more chance of developing dementia, it is even more important that brain injury victims obtain adequate legal compensation when possible. Although traumatic brain injuries are serious, a legal case to recover for those injuries can be complex and difficult. This is why it is essential to have a high-quality personal injury attorney by your side with experience in brain injury cases.
Legal Compensation for Traumatic Brain Injuries
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) results from an impact to the head which disrupts normal brain function. TBIs are generally rated from “mild” to “severe”, with most concussions considered to be mild TBIs. Even mild TBIs can impact a person’s life severely.
Some common symptoms and effects of TBIs include the following:
- Dizziness
- Headaches
- Nausea
- Blurred vision
- Vomiting
- Memory difficulties
- Cognitive issues
- Personality changes
These symptoms and effects can be debilitating for many brain injury victims. With increased dementia risk now added to this list, the stakes are higher for these victims to recover compensation for their injuries.
TBIs can be caused by numerous events all too common in our world, including auto and motorcycle accidents, sports, slip and falls, trip and falls, on-the-job accidents, and nursing home negligence or abuse. An experienced brain injury attorney can determine whether there is potential legal compensation for your TBI.
Studies Link Traumatic Brain Injury to Higher Dementia Risk
Recent studies have shown that a person’s risk of developing dementia later in life increases dramatically after TBIs of all severity levels.
Denmark Study Shows Link Between TBIs and Dementia
In an April 2018 study conducted in Denmark, researchers found that those who suffered a traumatic brain injury had a 24 percent higher chance of developing dementia. Even a single severe TBI increased the dementia risk by 35 percent. And the dementia risk went up significantly for people suffering multiple TBIs, with an increased dementia risk of 183 percent for five or more TBIs.
Alarmingly, the dementia risk for young adults was even greater. The study also found that those suffering TBIs in their twenties had a sixty percent greater chance of developing dementia in their fifties.
Traumatic Brain Injuries Increase Dementia Risk for Veterans
Another study of U.S. veterans demonstrates the dangers of even mild TBIs. The May 2018 study evaluated 350,000 veterans who served in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. The researchers found the veterans who suffered at least one mild TBI were more than twice as likely to develop dementia after retirement from the military.
Consult with a Billings Brain Injury Lawyer at Ragain & Clark, PC
If you or a loved one has suffered a traumatic brain injury in Montana or Wyoming, speak with a Billings brain injury lawyer at Ragain & Clark, PC. With over four decades of trial experience, we have proven results in catastrophic personal injury cases. Contact us today about your traumatic brain injury.
