After a traumatic brain injury, assessment and rehabilitation should begin as soon as possible. For most patients, focal losses due to injury in a specific location in the brain usually resolve as the injury resolves. It is the diffuse dysfunction from the brain injury that is often harder to deal with. While the neurologist and/or neurosurgeon will assess the patient’s deficits from the beginning, after the patient’s physical condition is stable, other personnel will begin to help with the evaluation.

A speech-language pathologist will evaluate communication skills and cognitive skills. A neuropsychologist will evaluate other cognitive abilities. An audiologist will assess hearing. Occupational therapists assess the patient’s abilities to perform tasks of daily living. The patient should be reassessed frequently to gauge progress.

Treatment should begin when the patient is in the hospital, in preparation for leaving the hospital with as much function as possible. Speech pathologists, neuropsychologists or physical therapists may be able to work with the patient in the hospital.

Ideally, a patient with significant disability should go next to a rehabilitation facility. Whether this happens or not depends on where the patient lives and what facilities are available. This varies between countries and within countries. A stay in a rehabilitation center maximizes the patient’s chance of becoming independent and regaining function. Some will be treated in outpatient facilities, while others may be visited at home.

According to guidelines published in the UK in 2003 (Royal College of Physicians and British Society of Rehabilitation Medicine. Rehabilitation following acquired brain injury: national clinical guidelines (2003), “As the patient starts to recover, intensive inpatient rehabilitation may be required to make the successful transition between hospital and community. Post-acute rehabilitation primarily addresses regaining mobility and independence in self-care to allow the individual to manage safely at home. Interventions focus on improving activity and independence (reducing disability). Once back in the community, patients need continued input to maximise their ability to function in their environment. In community-based rehabilitation, the emphasis is usually on more extended activities of daily living (EADL), social integration, and return to work or education. Interventions focus on enhanced participation, improved quality of life, psychological adjustment and carer stress. Every patient with an acquired brain injury should have access to specialist neurological rehabilitation services, covering all phases from acute management, through medium-term rehabilitation to long-term support for as long as required – which may be life-long.”

It is doubtful that everyone gets all the care they need, but in the UK, that is the goal. It is recommended that patients with significant disability go into rehabilitation facilities until they can be returned to the home environment. Help will still be needed at home. There is also a large network of charitable organizations that help with TBI rehabilitation. The Brain Injury Rehabilitation Trust (BIRT) is a division of The Disabilities Trust with facilities all over England.

Brain Injury Compensation Claim Solicitors

We are qualified lawyers specialising in compensation claims for personal injury resulting from UK accidents caused by the negligence of a third party. We deal with physical injuries of the utmost severity including catastrophic damage to the spinal cord and brain and consequential psychological damage. If you would like to speak to a brain injury compensation claims solicitor without any obligation whatsoever just use the contact form or call the helpline. Our advice is free and if you decide to use our services we operate a totally risk free no win no fee scheme. Compensation is paid in full with no deductions and win or lose there is no charge.

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