Long-Term Effects of Traumatic Brain Injury Are Life-Changing

 Posted on October 29, 2026 in Personal Injury

The brain controls everything from thoughts and memory to digestion and movement. Medical professionals and researchers still do not fully understand this highly complex organ. However, what is known is that an injury to the brain can have severe, lifelong consequences.

If you or a loved one suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) in a car accident, slip and fall accident, or another incident, you may be entitled to financial compensation for damages. Expenses, including your hospital care, lost income caused by missed work, lost earning capacity, and other damages, may be reimbursable. At Schwartz Injury Law, our Cook County, IL personal injury attorneys have secured millions in total compensation for catastrophic injury victims, including TBI victims.

What Kinds of Accidents Can Result in Traumatic Brain Injuries?

A traumatic brain injury can happen any time the head takes a hard hit or a sudden jolt. The brain can strike the inside of the skull, even when nothing breaks the skin. In Illinois, many of these injuries come from a few common types of accidents.

Car and Truck Accidents

Car and truck accidents are one of the leading causes of traumatic brain injuries in Illinois. In a crash, a person’s head can hit the steering wheel, the window, or the dashboard. Even without a direct hit, the force of a collision can whip the head forward and back. That motion can bruise or tear brain tissue. Pedestrians and motorcyclists who are struck by a vehicle face an even higher risk, since nothing shields their heads from the impact.

Truck accidents can be even worse. A loaded semi-truck can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. When it strikes a smaller car, the people inside face enormous force. Rollovers, side-impact crashes, and rear-end wrecks can all cause concussions or more severe brain damage. Some drivers feel fine at the scene and only notice headaches, confusion, or memory problems days later.

Medical Malpractice

Medical malpractice can cause a brain injury when a doctor, nurse, or hospital fails to provide proper care. One common example involves a lack of oxygen. If no one watches a patient’s breathing closely during surgery, the brain can be starved of oxygen in just a few minutes. Anesthesia errors can lead to the same result.

Brain injuries can also happen during childbirth. A baby may suffer harm if the medical team waits too long to act during a difficult delivery. Other cases involve a failure to diagnose a stroke, a blood clot, or bleeding in the brain. When a doctor misses these warning signs, a treatable condition can turn into lasting damage.

Slip-and-Fall Accidents

Slip-and-fall accidents often lead to head injuries, especially for older adults. A person who slips on a wet floor or trips on a broken step can fall backward and strike their head on a hard surface. Icy sidewalks, poor lighting, loose rugs, and missing handrails are all common hazards.

Illinois law requires property owners to use "reasonable care" to keep their property safe for people who are lawfully on it (740 ILCS 130/2). That duty can include fixing hazards, cleaning up spills, or warning visitors about dangers. If an owner ignores a known problem and someone gets hurt in a fall, the owner could be held responsible for the injuries that follow.

Construction Accidents

Construction accidents put workers at high risk for brain injuries. Construction sites are full of heights, heavy tools, and moving equipment. A worker can fall from a ladder, a roof, or scaffolding. Tools and building materials can drop from above and strike a worker below. Even with a hard hat, a heavy blow can cause serious harm.

Injured construction workers usually receive workers’ compensation benefits through their employer. However, another party could share responsibility. A general contractor, a subcontractor, or an equipment maker may have caused the accident. In those cases, the injured worker may be able to file a third-party injury claim. That claim can cover losses that workers’ compensation does not, such as pain and suffering.

What Are the Health Consequences of a Traumatic Brain Injury?

Traumatic brain injury is a term that applies to a wide range of injuries. For example, a concussion is a mild form of traumatic brain injury. However, most concussion sufferers eventually recover completely and do not suffer significant long-term effects. That being said, there are people who suffer from post-concussion syndrome, which can cause ongoing physical and mental symptoms such as headaches and problems concentrating.

Moderate and severe traumatic brain injuries can lead to disabling symptoms that prevent a person from working or enjoying their life. Physical symptoms such as headache, dizziness, and ringing of the ears are often just the start of the problems for a traumatic brain injury sufferer.

Often, the cognitive, emotional, and psychological effects of traumatic brain injury are even more disabling. People who have suffered a severe brain injury may have difficulty making decisions, solving problems, and functioning as before the injury. They may deal with confusion, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating. These issues may require them to take a lower-paying job or stop working entirely.

Depression, anxiety, and mood swings are also common long-term effects of a traumatic brain injury. These psychological symptoms make it difficult to enjoy everyday pleasures such as spending time with loved ones.

How Are TBIs Treated in 2026?

Immediate treatment for traumatic brain injury may involve surgery to relieve pressure on the brain, remove damaged or dead brain tissue, and repair skull fractures. Medications such as antidepressants or pain relievers may be used to help reduce some of the symptoms, but these medications typically cannot eliminate symptoms entirely.

In some cases, physical therapy, speech therapy, or occupational therapy can help a traumatic brain injury victim build strength and relearn how to perform everyday tasks. Mental health therapy or counseling may also help a TBI sufferer cope with the psychological impact of the injury. However, most people who experience moderate to severe traumatic brain injury are left with symptoms for years or even decades.

Contact Our Orland Park, IL Personal Injury Lawyers

Compensation in a brain injury claim can account for lost income, reduced earning capacity, past medical expenses, and future medical expenses. Our Cook County, IL catastrophic injury lawyers can help you fight for the maximum amount of compensation. Call 708-888-2160 for a free initial consultation.