When a person sustains a brain injury, there are a wide range of symptoms that they might experience, which can affect various aspects of their day-to-day lives. Because every brain injury is different, it’s hard to know exactly what each person is going through, and everyone will experience it differently.
That’s why we’ve put together this detailed resource to help you understand more about how to manage a brain injury.
We chose CFG Law and their team as they were very helpful when we were researching companies to work with. I have to say they have been brilliant from day one and the whole team has supported our family through every single step of this difficult process. The one thing that set them apart was the way they talked to us and understood what we were going through, and they got to know our whole family from the offset.”
Read Mr G's case study
Many people who continue to experience ongoing symptoms after being advised they have a mild head injury can have difficulty in accessing the correct treatment and support. We can help you access the specialist medical advice and support that you and your family need.
We understand that CT scans are not always a reliable test of whether or not a person has sustained a brain injury. If you have a clear scan but have not recovered quickly then we would recommend that you seek specialist advice.
If you have been involved in an accident which has resulted in a head injury, you should speak to a reputable solicitor with specialist expertise in this area.
For more helpful information on what to do after a family member has sustained a head injury, download our guide here >
A brain injury can have a lasting impact on a person's life. While it can be difficult to adapt to the changes, with the right support, brain injured people can live happy and fulfilled lives. We have a range of blogs from our two expert guest bloggers as part of our community - Brooke Trotter and Michelle Munt - who are both brain injury survivors. Find out more about their experiences below:
Brooke was involved in a road traffic collision in May 2007, which left him with a severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). Now he’s sharing his story to help raise awareness of TBI and help others going through similar experiences. Brooke is part of our community and provides useful guidance and advice on our blog for people living with a brain injury.
In 2014, Michelle was involved in a serious road traffic collision when her car was hit by a truck, which left her with a severe brain injury. After her experiences, Michelle decided to help others by sharing useful tips and advice on her website jumbledbrain.com. Her real-life stories about the struggles she has faced have offered inspiration to many.
A Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is often classified as mild if a person is unconscious, confused or disoriented for 30 minutes or less. Concussion is one of the most common head injuries and is often categorised as ‘mild’. Despite this, a concussion should never be underestimated. Often, an MRI or CAT scan doesn’t show the full damage to the brain caused by a concussion, with many of these injuries turning out to be more complicated than first thought. This can lead to devastating outcomes for the injured person and their family if left untreated. That’s why it’s absolutely vital to closely monitor any head injury.
A moderate brain injury is defined as a loss of consciousness for 20 minutes to 6 hours, and a score of 9-12 on the Glasgow Coma Scale. For most people, the symptoms of a moderate brain injury will gradually improve, although this can take 6-9 months. The impact of a moderate brain injury depends on a number of factors, including the severity of the initial injury, how quickly medical intervention took place, the functions affected by the injury and the patient’s physiological recovery. The resources available to help with recovery can also have an impact too.
A brain injury is classed as ‘severe’ when the person loses consciousness for more than 6 hours. This appears on the Glasgow Coma Scale somewhere between 3 and 8. Patients who have been diagnosed with a severe brain injury are likely to be hospitalised and will need rehabilitation. Common symptoms of severe head injuries include: fits or seizures, difficulty speaking, problems with senses, difficulty with walking and memory loss.
Although brain injuries are common, diagnosing them can be complicated. Problems often arise during the first 24 to 48 hours after a head or brain injury, so it’s important to monitor anyone suspected of having a head injury for worsening symptoms.
If a brain injury goes untreated, it can have serious, long-term consequences. Anyone who experiences an impact to the head and develops any symptoms associated with Traumatic Brain Injury should seek medical attention, even if the symptoms appear mild.
Research suggests that early rehabilitation is crucial to recovery. After a person has sustained a brain injury, it’s vital to have an in-depth individual plan to achieve the best possible outcome for the person and their family.
We help our clients ensure they have early access to the treatment and rehabilitation they need to achieve their best possible outcome and lead a fulfilled life. Find out how we helped one of our clients, Mr. G, get the lifelong care and rehabilitation he needed after being struck by a car.
There are a number of fantastic charities and groups in the UK who can provide tailored information and specialist support around brain injury, including:
A division of The Disabilities Trust, BIRT is a charity that provides services to people with physical and learning disabilities, autism and brain injury.
An online support centre for the families of children affected by acquired brain injury created by The Children’s Trust.
Provides a free helpline staffed by neuroscience nurses to answer questions about all neurological conditions and offer information and support on any medical or related social and emotional issues.
A national charity that promotes understanding of all aspects of brain injury and provides information, support and services to brain injured people, their families and carers. Headway also operates a regional network of branches and support groups.
The United Kingdom Acquired Brain Injury Forum (UKABIF) is a membership organisation and charity which aims to promote the understanding of all aspects of acquired brain injury.
Brain Injury is BIG
Brain Injury Rehabilitation Trust (BIRT)
Brain injury Hub
Brain & Spine Foundation
The Children’s Trust
Headway
UKABIF