After a traumatic brain injury, there is a chance for short or long-term complications. The severity of the injury may play a role in the type of and severity of any complications or other effects of the injury. For some, a brain injury may lead to several days or weeks spent in a coma or vegetative state. When in a coma, people are unaware of their surroundings and unable to react to outside stimulus.
When in a vegetative state, people are generally unaware of their surroundings. However, they may be able to respond to certain stimuli. If the skull is cracked or other wounds are present, an individual could be at risk for infections both in the brain or the nervous system if not treated promptly.
Not all complications of a head injury are physical in nature. For some, it may be difficult to engage in problem solving or pay attention for long periods of time. It may also be difficult to read or write or understand written or spoken words. This may lead to an erosion in social skills as it may be hard to follow conversations or recognize common social cues. The ability to maintain proper tone or pitch while speaking may be impacted by a head injury.
Those who experience a head injury may be left with a permanent disability or other long-term physical or mental issues. If the injury was caused by the negligence of another party, an attorney can often assist a victim in seeking compensation for medical expenses and other losses through the filing of a personal injury lawsuit.