Many people living with traumatic brain injuries (TBI) experience long-term difficulties due to their new impairments. As a result, there are many things people with TBIs can’t do that they used to be able to do. One such thing that many people living with brain injuries have difficulties with is finding a job they can do or keeping a job for the long-term.
According to the Brain Injury Association of America, past studies reveal that physical impairments, behavioral issues, and cognitive problems are some of the reasons why people with traumatic brain injuries have difficulties with getting or keeping a job. This article will take a deeper look at why working and staying employed is often challenging for those with brain injuries.
Some long-term difficulties that can prevent someone with a TBI from getting or keeping a job can include:
- Memory problems. People with traumatic brain injuries often have trouble remembering new information, such as newly learned material. This can present a problem at work.
- Concentration issues. Individuals with moderate to severe brain injuries generally have a difficult time concentrating on tasks at hand and maintaining attention. Consequently, they may be impulsive or unable to focus at work. This can make planning and decision-making—elements that are often required in the working world—difficult.
- Speech and thought impairments. People living with TBIs frequently have a hard time finding the words they want to say and understanding what others are saying. As a result, they often speak more slowly, think more slowly, and solve problems more slowly, which can be detrimental to their jobs.
- Behavioral issues. Many individuals suffer from depression, anger, and personality changes caused by a brain injury. Consequently, the change in emotions and personality can negatively affect their behavior. For example, someone may have emotional outbursts, blurt out inappropriate comments, or have mood swings, which can make it difficult to hold down a job.
- Physical disabilities. Some people with TBIs suffer from vision loss, horrible headaches, paralysis, bladder and bowel control issues, and other physical impairments that can make it hard to work.
Although a lot of people with traumatic brain injuries suffer from the aforementioned dysfunctions that can affect their ability to work and make a living, some people with TBIs don’t have the same issues and can function in the working world.
If you or a loved one suffered a brain injury that is causing you to lose income due to your inability to work or stay employed, you need to call us at 703-634-7350 today for a complimentary consultation of your case. We may be able to help you collect compensation for future lost wages.