When someone suffers from a traumatic brain injury, such as if they hit their head in a car accident, it can change many things about them. It can affect them on a physical level, an emotional level, and a sensory level. They may have an increased sensitivity to lights and sounds, for instance, or they may experience mood swings and sudden irritability.
In some cases, a spouse will say that the changes are so significant that they feel like they are now married to a stranger. Their spouse doesn’t seem like the person they remember—either in the way they interact with one another or simply because their spouse’s personality seems much different. Someone may have always been happy and relaxed prior to a TBI, for example, but now they always seem stressed and aggravated.
Changing roles
Another thing that can influence this is when the roles in the relationship change. For instance, maybe the spouse was previously the main breadwinner for the family and was very dedicated to their career. After the TBI, they’re unable to return to work and they need extensive care just in their daily life. It takes time to adjust to this new reality.
Seeking compensation
For those who suffered traumatic brain injuries, it is important to think about the changes to daily life or the changes to relationships. The injury may lead to compensation for things like a loss of consortium or loss of enjoyment in life.
On top of that, the individual who suffered the TBI may also deserve compensation for medical bills, lost wages, reduced earning capacity and other ways that their injury has changed their life or affected them financially. It’s important for families to understand exactly what legal steps to take while navigating this process.