When a loved one suffers brain damage caused by medical malpractice, you will have many questions and will feel uneasy about what to expect in the immediate days as well as in the years to come. Lean more about what you an expect here.
What to Expect Initially
Learning that a loved one has suffered brain damage is a devastating experience. It is very likely that the life you once knew has been changed in this instant. Your role in this person’s life may change from a partner to a caregiver, your finances will be negatively impacted, and your relationship and ability to communicate with your injured loved one may change significantly. Just know that the emotions you are experiencing are common and that it is perfectly normal to grieve over what has happened and to fear the changes that are associated with this type of injury.
The best thing you can do in the immediate days following a brain injury is to listen to the doctors and follow the directions the treatment team has outlined. The best way you can help your injured loved one is to learn as much as you can about his or her specific brain injury, what his or her limitations are, and what you can do to help once your loved one returns home.
What to Expect for the Long Run
Recovering from a brain injury can take a long time—even a lifetime. While some people make remarkable recoveries, others aren’t so fortunate. In either event, the person injured will most likely be different from the person he or she was prior to experiencing such trauma to the brain.
You will have to prepare yourself for drastic changes in the person you love. Don’t expect him to be the same person or to recover all memories of his life before the accident. He may suffer loss of long-term or short-term memory. Additionally, brain injuries often affect the way a person behaves. Just know that your loved one may not return to his or her former self and that you will need to learn how to cope with the sudden and dramatic change.
Tips to Help You Cope
While your life may be changed as you focus on caring for your loved one, it is also important that you take care of yourself. The following tips are presented to help you cope with the major changes you are facing:
- Take time for yourself. Things like walking and exercising can be very helpful in helping reduce the stress that is associated with taking care of an injured person. Although you may need to be there for your loved one most of the day—and it may be hard to take even a moment for yourself—it is critical to get adequate rest and take some time for yourself so that you are better able to be there for your loved one.
- Keep a journal. It is important to not only keep track of your loved one’s progress but your own feelings and emotions. Journaling daily or weekly can help.
- Seek counseling. Because life as you knew it has changed, it is very important that you seek professional counseling or join a support group to talk with others who are going through similar situations.
While these tips may be helpful, you may be entitled to even more help. It is important to talk with a lawyer who is experienced in brain injuries. Learn more about your potential medical malpractice claim by calling us for a free consultation today at 703-721-4233