Since brain injuries caused by accidents can have permanent, life-changing effects, it’s important to find an experienced brain injury lawyer to help you make a claim for lost income, medical expenses, and possible home renovations.

 

 

A brain injury presents one of the hardest challenges after an accident. These injuries can be the slowest to heal because the brain is a complex organ. Symptoms such as personality changes or physical disabilities, whether temporary or permanent, can be overwhelming for family and friends.

 

In 2011, over 56,000 Canadians received a brain injury. According to the Association for the Rehabilitation of the Brain Injured, 20% of those people died from their injury. Of the survivors, 9,000 people needed long-term rehabilitation and 6,000 people will live with a disability for the rest of their lives. These disabilities can include cognitive disabilities (problems with thinking or memory); sensory disabilities; communication disabilities (both expressing or understanding); and behaviour or mental health issues (depression, irritability, or engaging in socially inappropriate behaviour).

 

If you or a family member suspects a head injury after an accident, visit your family doctor. If symptoms of a brain injury appear, it’s important to head to the nearest hospital emergency room. Common symptoms include blurry vision, seeing double, floating spots in vision, dizziness, nausea and/or vomiting, weakness, insomnia, exhaustion, lack of concentration, trouble retaining new information or skills, personality changes, or sudden or severe mood swings, and uncharacteristic emotional outbursts.

 

 

The impact of a brain injury can be catastrophic to the injured individual and their family. The immediate effects are loss of income for both the injured individual and any family member helping to care for the accident victim, and out-of-pocket medical expenses.

 

This is where a brain injury lawyer comes in. With immediate and pressing concerns like helping your loved one recover from the accident, you may not have the time or experience to work through the long-term consequences of a brain injury. In the immediate future, there may be long-term hospitalization and intensive hospital treatment. Your family will experience a loss of income at a time when they need it the most to pay for rehabilitation and medication.

 

If the injury causes permanent damage, there are other expenses that may arise overtime, such as housekeeping and childcare help, ongoing rehabilitation costs, home care, or even extensive home renovations to help deal with a permanent physical disability.

 

The recovery from a serious brain injury caused by an accident can seem almost insurmountable at the beginning, especially if you and your family are not in the financial position to easily handle the associated costs. Engaging a brain injury lawyer who is familiar with Ontario’s laws and similar claims will help you know what to expect in the future as the recovery progresses.

 

It’s important to contact a brain injury lawyer who can help guide your family through the legal steps necessary to deal with the at-fault person’s insurance, your employer, the medical treatment team, and any other involved parties.