Communication problems and traumatic brain injuries

On Behalf of | Nov 11, 2014 | Brain Injuries

For the families of people who have suffered a traumatic brain injury due to the medical malpractice of a medical professional in New Mexico, the effect on their loved one’s communication can be devastating. Communication skills can be significantly impaired following a traumatic brain injury, depending on where in the brain the injury occurred and how widespread in the brain the injury was.

Victims of traumatic brain injuries may have difficulty with reading, writing and speaking. They may have a hard time understanding what others are saying to them or they may have a difficult time forming words. The muscles involved in speech may be weakened because of the injury, making it difficult for them to speak at a sufficient level to be heard. The condition may make their speech garbled and difficult to understand, and in some cases, victims may have trouble speaking at all.

Social communication skills can also be impaired. People may speak too loudly, have a difficult time with back-and-forth communication or behave in a socially inappropriate manner. Impairments in communication abilities can be permanent after a traumatic brain injury, making it difficult for the affected person to be able to independently live and care for him or herself.

Permanent brain injuries can occur due to medical mistakes, hypoxia, falls in the hospital and other incidents. When a person has suffered a traumatic brain injury due to the medical malpractice, damages may be recovered through a lawsuit. In the event the medical staff and the hospital in which they work is held liable, people may be able to recover compensation for needed care, rehabilitation, lost income and other types of economic and noneconomic damages they may have suffered.

Source: American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, “Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)“, November 11, 2014

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