Tragically, children face traumatic brain injury all the time. It can happen as a result of car accidents, sports injuries, slip and falls, abuse, and much more. As a Memphis traumatic brain injury attorney, I know one of the most pressing questions for parents is always, “How will this affect my child in the long-term?”

I meet with parents terrified about their child’s chances for an education or a normal life. And even with what seem like minor injuries at the time, these fears understandably come up. Now scientists have found more answers.

In a recent study, presented this month at the annual meeting of the Association of Academic Physiatrists, researchers looked at the long-term affects of traumatic brain injury (TBI) on children. They studied children for an average of 7 years after their injury, and found 2 especially interesting things:

  1. Brain injury can have a significant affect on attention abilities, and
  2. The environment around a child can make a difference in how well they recover long-term.

Traumatic Brain Injury and Attention Disorders in Children

The study found that children with mild to moderate brain injuries are twice as likely to develop attention problems in general. Severe brain injuries cause 5 times the likelihood of developing ADHD.

However, the child may show fewer symptoms if they receive the right support from the environment around them. For example:

  • Stability in the home
    Children with more severe injuries but a stable home life tend to thrive better long-term than children with more mild injuries who come from chaotic or disadvantaged families.
  • Family response time
    The earlier a family responds to the injury, the better. And the more help a child receives in the early stages of recovery, the better they do over time.
  • Early parenting skills
    The study suggests giving parents training and support early on helps them prevent TBI later. Parents can be the first line of defense in protecting children from serious accidents.

Memphis Traumatic Brain Injury Attorney

At my personal injury firm in Memphis, we work with families who experienced traumatic brain injury due to someone else’s mistake or wrongdoing.

TBI can lead to stacks of medical bills, lost time from work, physical therapy costs, and – as we see above – even long-term disorders that impair a person’s ability to work.

We help families like yours get the compensation you need and deserve to cover these costs.

If you or a loved one experienced brain injury because of someone else’s neglect or wrongdoing, you don’t have to go this alone. A Memphis traumatic brain injury attorney at our firm can help you. Contact me today for a free appointment.