Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) can create a lot of complications in a person’s life. One issue is that complete healing is not always possible. This means that a person may be dealing with residual symptoms for months, years or even the rest of their life.
This makes TBIs a bit different than other injuries, such as a broken bone. Even if someone has to spend months in a cast after surgery, they generally expect the broken bone to fully heal and regain their mobility. But with a TBI, even with medical treatment, some symptoms can persist.
Different types of healing
The issue is that the brain heals differently than other parts of the body. If you get a cut, for example, your body can create new skin cells and scar tissue. If you suffer blood loss due to your injuries, red blood cells can be created in your bone marrow to replenish the supply.
But brain cells, or neurons, generally cannot be created or replicated. There are a few minor exceptions in specific parts of the brain, but for the most part, any neuron that is lost is gone forever.
To heal, then, the human brain has to look for new connections, known as neural pathways. It can sometimes find new ways to send signals, which is when a person experiences healing. But if a pathway does not exist or cannot be found, then those symptoms can persist.
As such, a brain injury can be a life-altering condition, and it is important for those who have been injured to know if they have a right to seek financial compensation.