New Evidence from the VA Explains Connection Between TBI and Pain

by HGD Staff

When people are injured in motor vehicle accidents or falls, they often suffer objective and visible physical injuries, such as broken bones and open wounds. However, there are sometimes invisible wounds that can only be diagnosed through the use of highly specialized diagnostic imaging, such as MRI or CT Scan technology. These can be difficult to identify and prove, but even more difficult to understand. People suffering from serious injuries may display complex symptoms. One type of injury that is frequently misunderstood is the traumatic brain injury (TBI).

In researching the effects of TBI on combat veterans, researchers with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs have made some remarkable findings regarding TBI and how those with TBI may experience pain in different ways.

If you have been injured and suffered a serious and life-changing TBI, call Heninger Garrison Davis, LLC to speak with a TBI injury attorney today.

Veteran Research Leads to Amazing Findings

VA research in 2018 revealed that veterans with moderate to severe traumatic brain injuries experienced greater incidence of chronic pain – in particular chronic headaches – than other veterans with similar physical conditions but without TBI. This lead researchers to focus on isolating the underlying causes of chronic pain in relation to TBI. The suggested findings are somewhat remarkable:

● With or without chronic pain, TBI disrupts the brain functions designed to interfere with pain perception.
● People with TBI may live with chronic neuropathic pain, despite physically recovering from their injuries.
● The more severe the TBI, the greater the chronic pain.

What Research May Mean for Accident Survivors

Naturally, TBI research has implications that far exceed just the context of military and veteran populations. For those attorneys who routinely represent injury victims and auto accident survivors, this research may be an early indicator that insurance companies are greatly underestimating the value of compensation in auto accident claims.

We typically think of an injury in tangible and physical ways. A broken arm costs a certain amount to fix, and the pain will last a certain amount of time. Therefore, compensation is focused on those tangible and reasonably identifiable measurements. However, when a person suffers from a TBI, they may have ongoing pain for years to come, perhaps even indefinitely, even long after the underlying injuries have resolved.

Therefore, when negotiating with insurance companies, an injured person or their attorney should focus on how the TBI may create lingering pain effects into the future. This should always be considered when discussing the valuation of an injury claim.

Typical TBI Symptoms

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 2.5 million people suffer from TBI each year. Many are the result of accidents, falls, assaults, and other major traumas. If you suspect TBI, keep an eye open for the following common symptoms:

● Nausea
● Headache
● Disorientation
● Changes in behavior or mood
● Perception issues
● Loss of manual dexterity
● Balance issues (vertigo)
● Changes in taste or smell

How an Experienced TBI Injury Lawyer can Help

At Heninger Garrison Davis, LLC, our team knows TBI. When you hire our firm, we will quickly work to gather crucial pieces of evidence that help to establish how and why you suffered a brain injury. We will work closely with your medical providers and even work with medical experts in the field to help establish the nature and extent of TBI and how it will likely affect you in the future.

With decades of combined experience, you can count on us to handle your case with care. With offices throughout the country, we have teams available to work with you in New York, New Jersey, Alabama, and Georgia. Perhaps this is why attorneys from all over the country refer clients to Heninger Garrison Davis, LLC, and our attorneys represent clients throughout the country, obtaining excellent verdicts and settlements. Many of our clients come to us after being turned down by other firms or after being told they could not recover.

If you need help with your case or you are an attorney with a client suffering from a complex TBI, call our firm to discuss further. We never charge for consultations, and our team has the resources and skill needed to handle even the most complex cases. So call or visit us online to get started today. 1-800-241-9779.

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