Memory Loss from Brain Injuries

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, over 1.7 million people sustain a traumatic brain injury every year. Of those, over 52,000 people will die. The ones who do survive often do so with life-changing, irreversible effects. Of the many possible ailments, an often overlooked side effect of a traumatic brain injury is memory loss. Memory loss is common, but often isn’t noticeable until well after the injury has occurred.

The brain is a complex organ with many pathways delivering signals throughout the body. Physical movement, cognizant functions, senses and more rely on the brain to transmit those signals. Memory is no different than these. Memory loss is often the result of a brain injury that has damaged key parts of the brain responsible for processing memory. Of course, it should be noted that there are different forms of memory loss, such as:

Short-Term

Short-term memory loss is the most common of the memory loss types. Short-term memory loss diminishes the ability to remember information beyond 30 minutes.

Long-Term Memory Loss

With long-term memory loss, those injured may find it difficult to remember information spanning form days, to weeks, months, or even year at a time.

Immediate Memory Loss

Immediate memory loss makes it difficult to remember events as they are happening. For example, in trying to write down an address or follow a simple instruction, those who suffer from immediate memory loss may find it difficult to focus on tasks at hand.

Amnesia

Amnesia can be broken down into two major categories: anterior and retrograde. The former makes it difficult to remember things that occurred after the injury, while the latter affects memories that occurred before the injury. While memories often do return, it is usually with extensive therapy and treatment.

 

Memory loss can be devastating both for the victim and their loved ones. The inability to remember important things before an injury, as well as the diminished ability to remember things moving forward, can make life extremely difficult. The costs of medical treatment, as well as therapy and lost wages due to missing work, can make for a terrible financial situation.

If you or a loved one has sustained an injury that resulted in any kind of memory loss, a personal injury attorney may be able to help. Contact the law offices of Bramnick, Rodriguez, Grabas, Arnold, and Mangan today to schedule your case consultation. Call 877.423.4878 or contact online.