Can You Die From a Head Injury Years Later?

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A man with a head injury looks at an MRI with his female doctor.Researchers have found that suffering a head injury increases the risk of death over the coming years, although there is not necessarily a clear cause-and-effect pattern linking the head injury to the death that occurs later. One UK study showed that people who had even mild head injuries were almost twice as likely to die within the next fifteen years as those without head injuries. The reasons why, however, were not clear. Another retrospective study noted that the risk of death was elevated for at least seven years following a head injury.

In some situations, head injuries can cause permanent symptoms that could lead to death later. For example, people may develop epilepsy after a head injury, and uncontrolled seizures can be fatal.

Long-Term Effects of Head Injuries

Additionally, head injuries can cause chronic pain or disabilities, such as cognitive issues, speech or language difficulty, movement or walking, and debilitating headaches. The effects on a person’s life may be drastic. Some people with traumatic brain injuries, or TBIs, find they can no longer work, leaving them in a financial bind right when medical bills are coming in every day. Sometimes rehabilitation services like physical or speech therapy are helpful, but in other instances, the person never recovers their previous abilities. Rehabilitation is also a costly type of medical care, and most insurance policies limit how much therapy they will pay for. We’ve met clients who said that the insurance company stopped paying just as they were starting to make progress, forcing them to quit therapy.

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 lawyer 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.

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Frequently Asked Questions

After a personal injury, you're bound to have legal questions. The CEO Lawyer Ali Awad can provide you with answers to these questions, just as he's given answers to his millions of curious social media followers. Take a look at some of the most common personal injury law questions for general information, and then reach out to one of our seasoned attorneys for specific guidance on your case!

Contact us now (470) 323-8779.

Help Negotiating with Insurance Carriers

To quickly resolve matters following an accident, insurance companies will offer you less than you deserve in compensation for your injuries. Many victims feel pressured to accept these offers as the bills begin to pile up, but that is rarely a good idea. The insurance company is looking to protect its bottom line; and will offer injured victims less than they deserve. An experienced personal injury attorney understands how to negotiate with the insurance company and can look out for your best interests by getting you the compensation you deserve after an injury. If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident, it is important to avoid negotiating or providing recorded statements to the insurance company without first seeking help from a qualified personal injury attorney.

Do You Have a Personal Injury Case?

The best way to determine if you have a personal injury case is to speak with a knowledgeable attorney. Our legal professionals have the expertise to evaluate your case and determine a strong legal strategy so that you can obtain the greatest amount of compensation possible under the law. We will enlist investigators, assistants, and other specialists to collect accident reports, speak with witnesses to your accident, and put together a plan. While you focus on your physical recovery, we will remain committed to fighting for the compensation that you deserve.

Personal Injury & Accident Firm

Accident victims have a limited time to file a personal injury lawsuit. This time period is referred to as the statute of limitations. This means that if you or a loved one has been injured in an accident, you have only two years to pursue a personal injury suit. If you wait too long to reach out to an experienced attorney, you might be forever barred from seeking the compensation you deserve.

What to Expect From Your Initial Consultation With a Personal Injury Attorney?

During your initial consultation with CEO Lawyer team, we will go over the important details of your personal injury accident, which include the nature and extent of your injuries, how your injuries have impacted your ability to earn a paycheck, the cost of your medical treatment, and whether further medical treatment will be required. We will answer any questions you might have, as well, in regards to our experience, our track record of success, and what to expect from the legal process. Many personal injury victims wonder if they will be able to afford the legal fees required to pursue a lawsuit. CEO Lawyer injury and accident attorneys will not ask for any type of upfront fee unless we are successful in obtaining compensation for you. That means that if you have been harmed in a motor vehicle accident, slip and fall accident, defective product accident, or any other type of personal injury accident, you can absolutely afford to contact our law office today for assistance. In fact, you cannot afford to wait. Reach out today. We understand that some accident victims might have already obtained the assistance of an attorney but may be dissatisfied with the services provided. We are standing by and prepared to help you change legal representation, regardless of where you are in the process.

Speak to an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney Today

If you or a loved one has been injured in any type of personal injury accident, you should not hesitate to speak with the experienced attorneys at CEO Lawyer personal injury law firm. Call, email, or fill out our online contact form today so that we can begin helping you pursue the compensation you deserve.