Brain Injury
There is nothing "mild" about a brain injury...even a mild brain injury. Research has shown that mild brain injuries are often overlooked and people that suffer from them do not get the help that they need, and often times do not realize that there is help out there.
It is estimated that 1.5 million Americans suffer a brain injury every year. Of that, approximately 6,000 of those are Tennesseans. The causes of traumatic brain injury are from:
- Motor vehicle accidents (50%)
- Falls (21%)
- Firearms (12%)
- Sports (10%)
- Other (7%)
While the injuries often leave no visible marks, the emotional and cognitive wounds can take anywhere from months to a lifetime to heal. The effects of the brain injury may trigger strong medical and social disruption for not only the patient, but also the family. Some of the symptoms that are commonly seen are:
- Headaches
- Tiredness
- Difficulty with concentration, judgment, communication and planning
- Light-headedness
- Dizziness
- Memory difficulties; short and long term memory loss
- Trouble expressing thoughts
- Blurred or double vision; spatial disorientation
- Sensitivity to loud noises and/or bright lights
- Vision, hearing, smell and taste loss
- Speech impairment
- Balance difficulties
- Depression; mood swings
- Agitation
- Fear or anxiety; isolation
- Sexual difficulties
- Impulsiveness
- Irritability
- Sleep disturbances
- Appetite change
- Weight change
- Reduced endurance
- Seizures
- Spastic muscles
Disabilities such as these increase the need for services like housing, Social Security, Medicare, TennCare, food stamps, transportation, training, employment and recreational services, among others.
Talking with others that have the same issues can be a great source of comfort. Group therapy is often a tremendous help to the victims. A state-wide Traumatic Brain Injury Program has been established through grants. Services are free for victims and families, care givers, friends, and other interested professionals. Since motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of brain injuries, it is only right that the program is funded by monies received from four types of tickets: DUI, reckless driving, revoked license, and speeding.
A Jackson area support group is offered for brain injury victims and their families. It meets the 2nd Tuesday of each month at Jackson-Madison County General Hospital at 6:30 P.M. For more information about this group, contact Laura Mills at 731-425-4941. She is the brain injury services coordinator for the West Tennessee Rehabilitation Center that services the following counties in West Tennessee: Benton, Carroll, Chester, Crockett, Decatur, Dyer, Gibson, Hardin, Hardeman, Henderson, Henry, Houston, Humphreys, Lake, Madison, McNairy, Obion, Perry, Stewart, and Weakley.
If you have legal questions you may contact:
Bishop Law Firm P. C.
Street Address - 64 Lynoak Cove, Jackson, TN 38305
Mailing Address - P. O. Box 10965, Jackson TN 38308Telephone - (731) 256-0100
Toll Free - (800) 485-4783
Fax - (731) 212-4699
