• 21
  • July
    2011

According to new research, a traumatic brain injury more than doubles the chances of developing dementia in later years. Brain injuries can occur from a simple fall to a serious car accident and can result in a concussion, fractured skill, or even internal bleeding.

The TBI study focused on a group of 300,000 war veterans over the age of 55. The results of the study suggest that those who sustained a TBI were twice as likely to develop dementia then someone who never suffered a TBI. Researchers are hoping that by better understanding who is more at risk, they can better explore ways to rehabilitate brain injury victims.

While this particular study focused solely on war veterans and TBI, this analysis could be applied to anyone who has suffered a brain injury. As the risk increases, a TBI victim could also experience symptoms of dementia at an earlier stage as well.

A traumatic brain injury, as mentioned above, can occur in a number of different scenarios. But what if the injury was the result of someone else's negligence? Perhaps someone was leaving a department store and slipped on an icy sidewalk, slamming their head against the curb. Now, in addition to the initial injuries and medical expenses, the TBI victim may also have to deal with dementia.

A life-time of medical care can be incredibly expensive. Family members often spare no expense when it comes to the comfort and safety of a loved one who has been severely injured. Brain injury victims can seek compensation for medical expenses and loss of wages if the injury was the result of someone else's negligence.

Money will not return the victim to the state he or she was in before the accident, but it can help with any future financial costs that may arise as a result of the brain injury.

Source: USA Today online, "Traumatic brain injury doubles risk of later dementia," Mary Brophy Marcus, 18 July 2011