Despite reaching full size between ages 11 and 14, the human brain continues to develop and change well into a person’s 20s. Because of this ongoing body development, younger accident victims are prone to experiencing traumatic brain injuries (TBI) with serious, long-term effects.
Causes and Effects of Traumatic Brain Injuries in Teens
A child suffering a head injury may experience unexpected challenges with school, home life, and even employment for older teens who have already entered the workforce. Traumatic brain injuries can arise from a variety of different accident types, and you should always seek the legal advice of a Virginia TBI attorney after a teen is involved in a:
- Car, truck, or motorcycle crash
- Slip and fall accident at school, a business, or a private residence
- Sports-related injury sustained during activities like football or longboarding
- Intentional act of violence
Seeking medical attention immediately after a head wound is important for anyone, but doubly so for teens with developing brains, as TBI symptoms aren’t always obvious. This is especially true of “closed” head wounds when nothing physically penetrates the skull during an accident. Your child might have only minor pain and disorientation or no symptoms at all after a blow to the head, but medical scans can reveal a traumatic brain injury that may manifest severe symptoms later. The long-term effects of a teen’s TBI can include:
- Behavioral problems like sudden emotional outbursts, frequent anger not appropriate to the situation, anxiety, or depression
- Cognitive issues affecting reasoning skills, ability to analyze and understand information, and deciphering social cues
- Difficulty maintaining attention, concentration, and focus
- Language and speech problems
- Impaired vision
- Memory gaps
Teens still in high school or preparing to attend college may require expensive ongoing therapy sessions to gain coping mechanisms for adjusting to learning while dealing with these new difficulties.
What to Do After a Teen Suffers a TBI in Virginia
Anyone who suffers a brain injury caused by negligence has a legal right to recover damages for medical bills, out-of-pocket costs, and loss of wages if the TBI will interfere with their ability to work in the future. If your child is under the age of 18—or if you are the legal guardian of someone 18 or older—then the responsibility to bring a lawsuit against the negligent party who caused the injury falls to you.
Ready to talk to an attorney and find out about the next steps to take? Get in touch with our legal team today so we can learn more about your child’s case.
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