Any discussion about the fatigue associated with traumatic brain injury (TBI) should acknowledge the fact that fatiguing influences can affect a body in 2 ways. In other words, because an accident represents one such influence, it can cause either cognitive or physical fatigue, and in some cases both.
Features of cognitive fatigue
The brain processes information more slowly. The length of the brain’s concentration span decreases, due to the brain’s need for periods of rest. The fatigued victim struggles to take part in social interactions. The sleepiness experienced by the fatigued man or woman increases the severity of the recognized symptoms.
Features of physical effects
The fatigued mind triggers development of irritability, headaches, and light and sound sensitivity. It can also make it easier for the affected man or woman to experience periods of anxiety or depression.
Meanwhile, the body parts of the anxious or depressed individual do not function as well as they should. The neural connections in the brain’s white matter cannot send messages to the other parts of the body.
A TBI can trigger development of a chronic condition.
An accident victim that must deal with that chronic condition deserves to receive a fair compensation for his or her injuries. Yet an insurance company can question the veracity of someone that claims to affected by the symptoms of chronic fatigue. In other words, it becomes difficult to prove the existence of that particular, chronic and fatiguing disability.
What sort of proof must be introduced by a claimant with such a fatiguing disability?
The insurance company needs to be shown the link between a reported accident and the disability’s appearance. This can prove a challenge, because so many different factors can cause symptoms like headaches, irritability, anxiety and depression.
The testimony of a witness helps. A neighbor or co-worker might testify to the fact that the claimant’s personality changed after the accident. That neighbor or co-worker might have noted anxiety in someone that had been calm and relaxed, or unexpected irritation in someone that had been patient and understanding.
By hiring an injury lawyer in Huntsville, an accident victim stands a better chance for locating such a valuable witness. A lawyer can speak with that same witness, and emphasize the value of his or her readiness to support the disabled neighbor or co-worker.
When victims under the age of 18 have that disabling condition, their parents’ observations can help show the existence of the desired link. For that reason, parents must make a point of noting a son or daughter’s behavior, in the event that their child has been involved in a motor vehicle accident. The behavior should not be viewed as something expected from a child of that age.