When a person sustains a traumatic brain injury, the amount of time it takes to recover can vary. People may heal in a matter of weeks, or they may never heal. The length of recovery depends on the area of the brain that has been injured and the severity of that injury.
Although a person’s length of recovery may be different than another patient with similar injuries, recovery typically takes typical steps. There are terms that a family may hear in the early stages of recovery:
Coma: This is when a person is unconscious. They do not respond to stimuli, they are unable to communicate, and they do not show emotional responses to the outside world.
Vegetative State: The patient has a sleep-wake cycle. They may orient quickly to sounds and visual stimulation. They may startle when touched or spoken to.
Minimally Conscious State: The patient is somewhat conscious. They understand where sounds are coming from, they can reach out toward objects, they can occasionally respond to commands. They may show emotion and they can sometimes make sound.
The manner and speed in which a person recovers from a traumatic brain injury is very difficult to predict. In general, complete recovery is dependent upon how a patient responds in the early stages of the injury.
If you or a loved one has suffered a traumatic brain injury in Atlanta, a personal injury attorney can assist you in determining whether or not you may be entitled to compensation under state law.