Surgical options for a severe traumatic brain injury

Most blows to the head can cause a relatively minor concussion. Rest and a little time off of work are often enough to recover from a concussion’s nasty symptoms.

Then there are the more severe traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) that sometimes happen at Arden Hills construction sites, warehouses and other workplaces that involve heavy objects and machinery. A massive TBI can be profoundly disabling and even threaten your life. More intensive treatment, including surgery, is often necessary to help the patient.

Common surgical options for severe TBI include:

• Removing blood clots (hematomas) on or in the brain that are damaging brain tissue.
• Stopping active bleeding on the brain.
• Repairing skull fractures or removing skull pieces.
• Draining accumulated cerebralspinal fluid in the skull or creating room for swollen brain tissue, possibly by opening a window in the skull.

Recovering from brain surgery usually is a long and difficult process. And nearly all TBIs require some amount of rehabilitation. Depending on the location and type of TBI you suffered and the severity of your symptoms, you might need therapy to relearn how to walk and speak. It might also be necessary to teach yourself everyday tasks like bathing, dressing and feeding yourself so you can regain as much independence as possible.

Help paying for brain injury treatment

A worker who sustained a brain injury on the job deserves the best medical care, professional rehabilitation assistance and disability adaptation resources possible. These things are all very expensive, much more than the average family can afford out of pocket, especially when one of the adults in the household is unable to work. This is where workers’ compensation comes in. An experienced workers’ comp attorney can help you navigate the application process and an appeal if necessary.