How Brain Injury Survivors Can Advocate for Life on Their Terms

Accessing All the Help and Long-Term Support You Need After Surviving a Traumatic Brain Injury

Common causes of traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) include car crashes, slip-and-fall accidents, and intentional violence. By taking a holistic view, people who have suffered traumatic brain injuries can improve their chances of recovery, both physically and emotionally. With strong support networks, sound legal advice, and a positive outlook, TBI survivors can pave the way to a rich and fulfilling life for years to come. Let’s discuss how to make the most of it on your terms.

Choose a Richmond Attorney Dedicated to Defending the Legal Rights of TBI Survivors

The last thing you want to deal with while recovering from a serious brain injury is an insurance company. But, with the reality of mounting medical bills and lost wages, taking your legal rights seriously is crucial. Building a personal injury claim can be complex and nuanced, but you and your loved ones benefit greatly from hiring a knowledgeable brain injury attorney.

The legal team at The Mottley Law Firm has years of experience managing TBI claims and championing our clients' rights. We’ve helped to secure millions of dollars in settlements for brain injury victims and their families. Even seemingly mild TBIs can have a profound, long-term impact on a person’s way of life. Our skilled attorneys help provide clarity and speak with insurance companies on your behalf. That way, you can focus on your road to recovery.

Estimating the potential total compensation for a TBI case can be challenging. It must factor in all future damages related to the traumatic brain injury. There’s no opportunity for additional restitutive payment once the case is closed and a settlement is accepted. TBI survivors may endure years of rehabilitation and other costs. Sound legal advice and guidance are imperative.

The Importance of Medical Care and Rehabilitation

While there are several main types of traumatic brain injuries, it’s vital in all cases to have prompt and thorough medical attention. Even if your symptoms appear to be minor, they can have life-altering consequences if left undiagnosed and untreated. Seeking continued medical care also supports legal compensation claims, as your persistence in getting the right medical care helps to document and substantiate the injury. Another important note: TBIs are sometimes misdiagnosed or missed in older adults, so medical due diligence is even more important to avoid further complications.

Even the talented personal injury attorneys at The Mottley Law Firm need strong evidence for a successful brain injury case. Medical records confirm visits with health professionals, test results, doctor’s notes, treatment plans, and more. They demonstrate that you’re doing everything you can to recover. Without swift and ongoing medical care, negligent parties may argue that the TBI isn’t having as negative an impact on your life as your injury claim asserts. They may challenge its severity and reduce the chances of fair compensation.

Ongoing medical care isn’t solely a financial concern, of course. TBI survivors may struggle with gross and fine motor skills, emotional regulation, speech and communication skills, memory, and mood. Well-crafted rehabilitation plans after a TBI help you regain function and improve your quality of life.

Seeking Support for Long-Term Needs

The unfortunate reality is that the road to recovery after a traumatic brain injury can be a lifelong journey. Survivors need to concern themselves not only with immediate symptoms and struggles but also with how they choose to live their lives moving forward. To plan a future on your terms, having the right support for managing your long-term needs is crucial.

• Personal counseling and support groups, for instance, provide tremendous guidance if you suffer from PTSD after a TBI. 
• Additionally, many people require certain instruments or accommodations to go about their daily activities. You might need to outfit their home with assistive devices and adaptive technology or hire in-home care. 
• Occupational therapy and retraining programs can help brain injury survivors return to the workforce. 
• Whether or not they go back to work, TBI survivors may also need financial assistance due to the loss of future earning potential, as well as costs related to medication and therapy. 

These and other challenges can be especially profound in children who experience a traumatic brain injury. TBIs affect healthy development and limit their ability to participate in school and sports. 

Helpful Resources for Recovering Brain Injury Victims

Managing life after a traumatic brain injury doesn’t have to be a solitary journey. It’s helpful to know there are some community organizations that provide ongoing support, including assisting families who support TBI victims to better manage the day-to-day needs of their loved ones. Three notable and well-respected resources our firm often recommends are:

• The Brain Injury Services Coordination Unit of the Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services funds programs, contracts, and agency services for persons with brain injuries. 
• The Brain Injury Association of Virginia offers in-person and virtual support groups for brain injury victims and their family caregivers. 
• Brain Injury Services provides individualized case management, counseling, friendship groups with community volunteers, veterans programs, and more.