Traumatic brain injuries can lead to life-threatening complications long after the initial accident.
CDC TBI data identify traumatic brain injury as a major cause of death in the United States, and delayed problems like brain bleeds, seizure disorders, and progressive cognitive decline can appear months or years later. Even a so-called ‘mild’ concussion can set off changes that surface much later, which is why monitoring and follow-up care are critical after any head trauma.
When to go to the ER after a head injury
- Worsening headache, vomiting, or confusion
- Any seizure, weakness, slurred speech, trouble walking, or new vision changes
Long-Term Risks to Watch for
- Cognitive issues: problems with memory or critical thinking.
- Movement difficulties: issues with gait, walking, or talking.
- Balance and coordination problems that can worsen over time.
- Visual disturbances or deficits that may affect driving or work.
- Speech or language deficits that limit daily function or employment.
- Mental health challenges including depression, anxiety, and mood changes.
- Coma or persistent vegetative state in the most severe cases.
Symptoms that need fast care
- New or worsening headache, confusion, or memory loss
- Slurred speech, weakness or numbness, or trouble walking
- Repeated vomiting or any seizure activity
- Vision changes or concerning personality/mood changes
What to do next
If any new or worsening symptoms appear after a head injury, seek medical care promptly—even if the injury happened months or years ago. Keep records of your symptoms, imaging, and visits. If negligence played a role in the injury, our Atlanta brain injury team can review your case and protect your rights.
How Can a Head Injury Lawyer Help You Get Justice?
Dealing with the aftermath of a head injury can be overwhelming. Your health insurance may not pay for everything. If you’re unable to work due to your injuries, you might not be able to pay either. But trying to get the responsible party or their insurer to cover your claim can be an uphill battle that you may not have the time or energy to fight.
If this is the case for you or a loved one, consulting a head injury attorney may be very beneficial. Insurance companies often give accident victims flimsy excuses about their claim being denied, but your brain injury lawyer in Georgia has the knowledge and experience to refute these reasons. They will fight to get you the compensation you deserve after considering all your damages.
For this reason, we recommend that you do not try to argue with the insurance company yourself. Most people who don’t work in the legal or insurance fields are not equipped to appeal a claim denial. Insurance company adjusters know every loophole to get out of paying a claim, and they will misinterpret and use anything you say against you – that’s why you get a message about “recording calls for quality assurance” when you phone them. Rest assured that anything you say could be twisted into something you didn’t mean and used to justify the claim denial.
The insurance adjuster may also try to convince you that the accident was actually your fault or that the insured party was not responsible in some way. Unfortunately, we’ve met many people who were convinced the insurance adjuster was right when the other party was at fault. It can be difficult to determine fault in an accident with only your perspective, but that doesn’t mean you should take the insurance adjuster’s word for it that you were responsible! Instead, acquire a copy of your accident report and discuss it with an attorney.
What If Your Loved One Has Died From a Previous Head Injury?
In Georgia, a surviving spouse, child, or parent has two years to file a wrongful death claim after the decedent’s death. If you have reason to believe that the death was caused by a head injury, even one that happened years earlier, please contact a Georgia personal injury attorney as soon as possible. Your lawyer will need time to investigate and gather evidence that the injury led to the death, so don’t assume that the two-year limit leaves you plenty of time.
How Long Does it Take for a TBI to Heal?
It depends on the severity of the traumatic brain injury. Some people may recover completely in a few weeks or months. Getting medical attention immediately and supportive therapies can help the healing process go faster.
But some people may continue to struggle with long-term or chronic issues. In certain cases, people have permanent deficits such as cognitive difficulties or challenges with walking, talking, or moving. Even patients who improve with therapy may not regain all their lost abilities, and there is also the possibility of deterioration or the patient’s condition worsening with time.
Research shows that most of the progress people make toward recovery from a TBI happens in the first two years after the injury. However, some progress is possible 5-10 years later, so continuing to do prescribed physical or occupational therapy is a good idea.
Common long-term disabilities and difficulties associated with TBI include:
- Cognitive issues, such as problems with memory or critical thinking.
- Movement difficulties, including issues with gait, walking or talking.
- Balance and coordination problems may also contribute to movement issues.
- Visual disturbances or deficits. These deficits sometimes mean the injured person can no longer drive or do their job.
- Speech or language deficits. This can also prevent a person from continuing their work in many situations.
- Mental health challenges. Sometimes people don’t connect these to their head injury because issues like depression and anxiety are very common. However, a head injury can affect your brain’s ability to regulate mood, and mood disorders frequently occur in those who have had head injuries.
- Coma or persistent vegetative state. In the most severe cases that don’t result in death, the injured person may go into a coma or a deep state of unconsciousness. If this doesn’t resolve within a few weeks, it will be considered a permanent vegetative state. With medical support, a person in a permanent vegetative state may live for many years, but the expense of long-term care can be financially devastating.
Contact a Head Injury Attorney Today
If you or a loved one have suffered the effects of a TBI or other head injury, or a loved one has died, you will need all the support you can get. The CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm will fight to get you the compensation you need to pay for needed medical care and therapy, cover your last wages, and help with other expenses so you can focus on restoring your life. Your initial consultation is always free, and if we take your case, we won’t charge you anything until we win or settle it for you.
FAQs
Can you die from a head injury years later?
Some head injuries lead to delayed complications—such as brain bleeds, seizure disorders, or progressive brain damage—that can be fatal long after the original trauma.
What symptoms after a head injury need urgent care?
Worsening headache or confusion, repeated vomiting, slurred speech, weakness or numbness, trouble walking, vision changes, or any seizure activity.
How long after a head injury can complications appear?
Serious complications can appear weeks, months, or even years later. New or worsening symptoms should be evaluated promptly by a medical professional.
