Brain Injury Study Shows Effect on Sleep Patterns

A brain injury sustained in a car crash, or any type of accident, often has a far-reaching impact on the quality of the victim's life. That's why it's so important to consult with an experienced attorney as soon as possible after you suspect a head injury. At Richard Lewis Law, P.S., we have handled cases involving traumatic brain injuries. We work with medical experts who help us build a successful claim. We closely examine medical records, and we stay on top of the latest research to build the strongest possible cases.

Brain injury studies help us demonstrate how the accident may affect the quality of life in the future. In one study published April 27, 2016, in Neurology, researchers found that TBIs may lead to sleep interruptions 18 months following the accident.

We realize that loss of sleep can lead to a variety of emotional and financial problems in life. In handling a case, we might point to such studies to show that a client has suffered a career setback in part because of sleep disruptions related to the brain injury. That, in turn, may result in more compensation for our client who may have had to give up a career because of the accident.

According to an article in Newsweek, other studies have revealed that almost 50 percent of patients with severe traumatic brain injuries experience drowsiness during the day and disturbances in their sleep-wake cycle. Even if you are healthy, a change in your sleep-wake cycle will affect your memory and your brain's ability to process information.  These sleep problems may be temporary for a healthy individual. For people dealing with brain injuries, the sleep cycle disruption may be permanent.

Many TBI victims unaware of the impact on sleep patterns

One key finding in the Neurology study: People with brain injuries may not be aware of their sleep problem. The study found that nearly 70 percent of brain injury participants experienced problems with being drowsy during the day compared to almost 20 percent of the group who did not have TBIs. However, according to Newsweek, the people with brain injuries did not report feeling any more sleep deprived than the control group of people who didn't have TBI.

Brain injuries often can go unnoticed, especially right after the accident. Some people who are unaware of the severity of their injury might go days or weeks without treatment. This type of inaction can have fatal consequences.

If you're in an accident and suspect an injury, it's important to seek medical treatment immediately. Maybe you hit your head and were "seeing stars" for a few moments after the crash. Perhaps you had a headache later in the day after the accident. Or you might be feeling dizzy or nauseated after the accident.

These are all signs that you might have a serious TBI.  By seeing a doctor as soon as possible for observation and possible treatment, you are reducing the risk of dying from the head injury. You also may be able to avoid lifelong complications.

We want to hear from you if you or a loved one suffered a concussion or other type of brain injury in an accident. You will need an experienced legal professional who can protect your rights. Depending on the severity of the injury, the cost of a TBI can be astronomical. A severe injury can exceed $3 million over the course of a lifetime when factors such as long-term medical treatment and lost earnings are considered.