Traumatic Brain Injuries and Parkinson’s Disease

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is associated with an increased risk of Parkinson’s disease, according to a Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research report on a study in the journal Neurology. TBIs are non-degenerative brain injuries that occur when the head, skull, or body experiences a jolt or blow. Parkinson’s disease is a progressive nervous system disorder that causes a person to lose control over some of their body functions.

TBIs are incredibly complex injuries in which symptoms are not always immediately apparent. Parkinson’s disease can take several years to develop. People who suffer from either of these ailments can face significant challenges. A person who is dealing with both may require full-time assistance with all kinds of daily activities.

If you suffered a TBI in an accident caused by another party’s negligence in the greater Atlanta area, you should know that you could be entitled to compensation for all of the related losses you have incurred and will incur. A traumatic brain injury lawyer can assist you in filing a claim and holding the responsible party accountable.

Our Marietta personal injury lawyers have recovered millions of dollars for our clients. We are ready to fight for you. We’ll be prepared to sit down with you and discuss your situation when you call us or contact us online to schedule a free consultation today.

Information About Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson’s disease develops when the nerve cells called neurons in the brain break down or die, resulting in a decrease in dopamine production that causes abnormal brain activity. Parkinson’s may be the result of a person’s genes or possible environmental triggers.

The symptoms of Parkinson’s often include tremors, in which a person’s limb, hand, or fingers begin trembling. Other possible symptoms could include changes in speech, slowed movement, rigid muscles, or posture or balance issues.

Effects of TBI on Dementia and Parkinson’s Disease

The study in Neurology examined the medical records of 325,870 veterans, half of whom had a mild, moderate, or severe TBI. A mild TBI was defined as the loss of consciousness for less than 30 minutes and memory loss for less than 24 hours. Loss of consciousness for more than 30 minutes and memory loss for more than 24 hours was classified as moderate to severe.

None of the patients had a diagnosis of Parkinson’s at the beginning of the study, but 1,462 veterans were diagnosed with Parkinson’s within a dozen years. Of those 1,462 patients, 949 had a TBI.

The researchers concluded that mild TBI increased the risk of Parkinson’s by 56 percent, and moderate to severe TBI increased Parkinson’s risk by 83 percent.

Protecting Your Legal Rights in a TBI Case

When you have been involved in an accident that caused TBI, your first concern should be to get immediate medical attention.

It is vital to consult with an attorney as soon as possible. Do not discuss the accident with anybody until you have hired a lawyer to represent you. Your attorney may advise you to be especially careful about what you share on social media and to keep instead a journal of how the injury has impacted your life.

If a claims adjuster with an insurance company asks you to provide a recorded statement, you should politely refuse and ask them to instead speak to your attorney.

How Can The Champion Firm Help Me?

The Champion Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.C. is ready to conduct an independent investigation of the accident that caused your TBI and can assist you if you believe you are experiencing any symptoms of Parkinson’s related to your TBI.

Call us or contact us online now to schedule a free consultation.