How do brain injuries affect children?
Brain injuries affect every person differently, but it’s particularly difficult for children to understand what has happened to them. At their age, children may not know how to express what they’re going through, which can make giving them appropriate care harder.
Children who suffer from injuries to the head need to be seen at an urgent care center or emergency room for treatment and to determine if there is an underlying brain injury. Brain injuries may present with a sudden change in emotional, cognitive or physical expression. For example, a once sturdy child may struggle to stand up straight and walk in a line. A talkative child may become quiet and reserved. A once happy child could become angry.
Since children are still growing and changing, an injury has the ability to greatly impact them in their everyday lives. For this reason, when children go to the hospital for a brain injury, there has to be a conference between doctors to determine the best course of treatment. Then, the child may be released back into the guardian or parent’s care. Essentially, the medical team wants to be on the same page before allowing a parent to take a child home. Outpatient services are vital to brain injury victims, who may need ongoing medical care for many years to come.
After your child suffers a brain injury, getting compensated is a vital step in guaranteeing appropriate care now and in the future. A good settlement helps make sure your child never has to worry about getting the medical care that can help him or her recover.
Source: Brain Injury Minnesota, “Impact of Brain Injury on Children and Teens,” accessed April 04, 2018