Treatment & Rehabilitation

Treatment and rehabilitation for a brain injury is a lengthy, intensive, and expensive process, but receiving the proper treatment from the start can make a significant impact on an individual's ability to function, interact, and live out a productive and meaningful life in the wake of a serious injury.  At Bohn & Bohn, LLP, our job as attorneys is to make sure you receive the care you need without having to worry about whether you can afford it.

Treatment for a brain injury begins with emergency medical technicians at the scene of an accident and continues through the work of therapists and other healthcare professionals at a rehabilitation facility.  Treatment and rehabilitation can be broken down into several stages:

Treatment

Emergency Medicine

Treatment for a brain injury begins immediately, with first aid and emergency treatment often necessary just to save a person's life.  Surgery is often required to stop bleeding, and other measures are taken to stabilize the patient's vital signs, such as breathing, pulse, and blood pressure.  Emergency treatment will likely involve treating other areas of the body that have been damaged in the accident as well.

In addition to these lifesaving measures, the latest research reveals that time is of the essence in treating a brain injury, and immediate and proper treatment can vastly change the outcome for life.  Although clinical testing is still ongoing, it appears that administering certain medications within the first 48 hours can be extremely beneficial to minimizing brain damage, reducing intracranial pressure, and improving mortality rates.

Initial diagnostic tests such as x-rays and CT scans will be performed to determine the immediate damage which must be repaired.  The true extent of the injury may not be known at this point; further extensive diagnostic testing may be required when the patient is more stable.  These tests may involve more scans such as functional MRIs, or neuropsychological testing.  Some of these tests can provide misleading results depending upon when they are performed, and should be undertaken at the proper stage.

Acute Care

Once the patient is stabilized and more testing has been conducted, the patient will continue to receive intensive care or acute care in an attempt to repair the damage which has been done and take measures to prevent further injury from occurring.  For instance, the patient may require procedures to reduce swelling from a buildup of fluids or surgery to remove bone fragments or foreign matter which may be pressing on the brain.

The patient will likely be monitored in an intensive care unit or a neurological unit, if one exists at the hospital.  Neurologic therapy may begin here to stimulate nerve and brain function and assess the nature and extent of damage.  Physical therapy may also be introduced to keep the body from wasting away due to prolonged periods in a hospital bed. 

Rehabilitation

The goal of rehabilitation is to restore as much function as possible.  For a person with brain injury, this generally includes motor function as well as cognitive function, and often learning adaptive strategies to learn new ways to perform tasks.  To this end, a wide variety of professionals will likely be involved in the patient's rehabilitation.

The patient's rehabilitation will likely be overseen by a physiatrist, a doctor who specializes in rehabilitation, as well as the diagnosis and treatment of pain.  The patient will also likely work with a host of other professionals, depending upon the individual's specific needs.  Most often, the patients will undergo physical and occupational therapy, as well as speech and psychological therapy.  Other professionals involved in rehabilitation may include cognitive therapists and educational therapists, dietitians, ear, nose, and throat doctors, internists, neurologists, neuropsychologists, neurosurgeons, ophthalmologists, plastic surgeons, radiologists, recreation therapists, social workers, and vocational rehabilitation counselors.

The physiatrist, in conjunction with many of the professionals mentioned above, may assist in the development of a life care plan, a comprehensive document outlining the probably needs and expenses the patient will require over the course of a lifetime. 

Release

The length of the initial rehabilitation period is dependent upon the injury, but eventually the patient will be discharged from the hospital.  Depending upon the patient's needs, ability for self-care, and ability of others to meet those needs, the patient may be discharged to go home, or may be transferred to a long-term residential care facility.  Even if released to home, the patient may require ongoing care provided by family members or home health providers, or outpatient therapy on a regular basis.  This type of care could last years or a lifetime.

Seek Experienced Legal Representation

The lawyers at Bohn & Bohn have handled numerous brain injury cases and have obtained millions of dollars in settlements and judgments to help injured people throughout California access the quality of care they need to achieve their maximum potential for recovery.  If you or a loved one has suffered a traumatic brain injury due to the negligence or wrongful actions of another, contact Bohn & Bohn, LLP today for a free initial consultation.