After suffering a brain injury, the most important steps are to seek medical attention immediately, follow all treatment recommendations, and monitor your symptoms over time. Brain injuries can be unpredictable, and what feels manageable in the moment may develop into serious complications days or even weeks later.
You should also document everything related to the injury—medical visits, changes in behavior, and how the injury affects your daily life.
If the injury was caused by someone else’s negligence, such as in a car crash, fall, or workplace accident, speaking with a Charleston traumatic brain injury lawyer can help you understand your rights and pursue compensation for medical care and long-term recovery.
How We Guide Clients Through the First Days After Injury
When someone comes to us after a traumatic brain injury, they’re usually overwhelmed. They’re trying to manage symptoms, talk to doctors, explain what happened to family, and deal with the practical challenges of being injured. It’s a lot—and most people don’t know where to start.
We often begin by helping our clients understand what to track in the early days of recovery. That includes symptoms like:
- Headaches: Especially those that worsen or appear late after the incident
- Dizziness and nausea: Which may indicate a disruption to balance or sensory processing
- Fatigue and confusion: Which can impair decision-making and memory
- Changes in mood or behavior: Including irritability, depression, or unusual emotional swings
These symptoms matter—not just for your health, but for your legal claim. If someone else caused your injury, clear documentation can make the difference between getting fair compensation and facing it all on your own.
For a free legal consultation, call (843) 380-8350
Why Immediate Medical Care Matters
We can’t stress this enough: if you’ve hit your head, lost consciousness, or are experiencing confusion or memory issues after an incident, get checked out right away. Even if you feel okay at first, that doesn’t mean you’re in the clear.
Emergency rooms can perform CT scans or MRIs to rule out bleeding, swelling, or skull fractures. But even if those tests come back normal, you should follow up with your doctor, especially if symptoms continue. Many brain injuries—especially concussions and TBIs—don’t always show up clearly on scans.
We’ve had clients who were told their scans looked fine, but they still couldn’t work, drive, or think clearly for months afterward. That’s when specialists like neurologists or brain injury rehabilitation teams become essential.
Stay Consistent With Treatment and Documentation
Once you begin treatment, consistency is key. Insurance companies often question injuries if there are gaps in care, missed appointments, or a lack of documented follow-up. That’s why we work closely with our clients to help them stay on track.
We recommend keeping a recovery journal to track:
- Daily symptoms: What’s improving, what’s getting worse, and how it affects your activities
- Appointments and medications: To show you’re following medical advice
- Work or school impact: Missed days, reduced hours, or changes in performance
- Social or emotional effects: Isolation, anxiety, or difficulty in relationships
This record doesn’t just help your doctors—it gives us a way to show the full scope of what you’re dealing with.
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What if You Can’t Go Back to Work?
Brain injuries often interfere with the ability to focus, follow instructions, or manage stress. That makes returning to work difficult or impossible for many people, especially if their job involves multitasking, memory retention, or high-pressure decision-making.
If you’re in that situation, we can help you explore all available options. That includes:
- Short–or long–term disability claims: Through employer coverage or private insurance
- Modified job duties: If your employer can accommodate your new limitations
- Career retraining: If your current role is no longer realistic
- Loss of future earnings: Included as part of your legal claim if someone else caused the injury
We work with vocational experts and financial planners to estimate what your injury could cost over time, and we fight to make sure those losses are factored into any settlement.
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Supporting Families and Caregivers
One of the most overlooked aspects of brain injuries is the toll they take on families. Loved ones often become full-time caregivers, juggling medical appointments, financial stress, and emotional uncertainty. Spouses may leave work to assist, while children may take on new roles at home.
We always include these ripple effects in our approach. If your injury has impacted your family’s finances, living situation, or future plans, we’ll make sure that’s part of your case. You’re not just a file or a diagnosis to us—you’re a whole person, and we build your claim with that in mind.
Understanding the Long-Term Nature of Recovery
Brain injuries don’t follow a fixed schedule. Some clients improve steadily and regain full function. Others plateau or face permanent changes in cognition, behavior, or mobility. It’s not fair, but it is real, and we plan for that reality from the start.
We often bring in medical experts to project future care costs, therapy needs, and other support services. These might include:
- Cognitive rehabilitation: For memory, focus, or problem-solving skills
- Occupational therapy: To relearn daily tasks or adjust to new physical limitations
- In–home support or supervision: When independent living is no longer safe
- Mental health services: For managing anxiety, PTSD, or depression
The goal is to create a roadmap for what you’ll need—then fight for the compensation to support it.
Let Us Help You Reclaim Control
Asking “What do I do after suffering a brain injury?” is more than a question—it’s the start of a recovery journey. You don’t have to figure it all out at once, and you definitely don’t have to do it alone.
The Thumbs Up Guys help people like you every day. We listen, we guide, and we handle the legal side so you can focus on healing. Whether you’re still waiting on a diagnosis or already deep into recovery, we’re ready to step in when you’re ready to move forward.
Call or text (843) 380-8350 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
