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What’s the Risk of Seizures After a Brain Injury?

On behalf of Law Office of Jason Skala, LLC April 4, 2019

Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) can take several forms. Some are more severe than others. If you suffer a closed head injury there may be serious damage to the brain inside the skull, but no visible damage on the outside. Regardless, in addition to the injury itself there is the possibility that it can lead to secondary issues for some victims.

Lapses in memory – either short- or long-term – can occur. Other signs that might seem unrelated to TBI, but which can be significant markers include states of confusion, mood or personality changes and unexplainable lethargy. Another issue that might be less common but no less important to watch for are seizures.

Seizure Symptoms Can Vary

Craig Hospital, one of the nation’s leading centers for treating TBI and spinal cord injuries says that seizures after brain trauma, while rare, can happen. Most will occur within days or weeks of the initial injury. However, they can happen months or even years after the fact. In the worst cases, the onset of seizures can further debilitate the victim or result in death.

There can be a lot of uncertainty about what the future holds after someone suffers a brain injury. If it occurs because of someone else’s negligence, you as a victim have a right to expect the responsible party to provide the compensation to meet your needs, whether they are immediate or long-term.

When most people think of seizures, they probably envision a person whose body goes stiff or jerks with spasms. But seizures can present in many ways. A victim might:

  • Stare or be unresponsive.

  • Begin to smack their lips or chew.

  • Experience a sudden incapacity to speak or understand others.

  • Begin to have strange sensations of taste, touch, sight, sound or smell.

  • Suffer sudden dizziness or tiredness.

Those who are dedicated to helping victims of seizures, whether they are the result of TBI or because of epilepsy recognize that medication is the bedrock method of treatment. But the list of possible prescriptions is long and finding the right one can take time and some trial and error. If they don’t work, some additional specialty care might be required.

With all the unknowns, it’s clearly wise to make comprehensive plans for all possibilities.