TBI stands for traumatic brain injury and is a major cause of disability and death in West Virginia and across the U.S. The Ohio State University College of Medicine has published the results of four studies, all of which have to do with rehabilitative care for TBI patients. The studies found that several factors affect the results of TBI in-patient rehabilitation.

For example, greater patient engagement and family involvement seems to impact patients more positively. The former, in fact, may be more important than the actual length of the treatment. When family members are involved, therapists can gain insight on the sort of real-life activities that are engaged in at home.

This leads to a third positive factor, namely the inclusion of real-life activities in the therapy itself. The more that these activities are included, the sooner patients are able to participate once again in the community. This is more effective than merely strengthening the skills and abilities needed for those real-life tasks. Lastly, therapy should target patients’ higher-level functions to better help patients become independent.

TBIs can range from mild to severe. Mild TBIs, under which concussions are included, can cause a brief change in mental status while severe cases involve loss of consciousness and even memory loss.

Those who incur a traumatic brain injury through the fault of another may be able to file a personal injury claim. For example, if they were in an auto accident, they could file against the guilty driver’s auto insurance company. If they slipped and fell on someone’s property, they could file a premises liability claim. Whatever the case may be, victims may want legal assistance, especially for the negotiation stage. The lawyer may strive for a fair settlement, litigating if one cannot be achieved.