Further Studies Confirm Dementia Linked to Brain Injury

February 22, 2018, Kitchener, Ontario

Posted by: Robert Deutschmann, Personal Injury Lawyer

Studies continue to confirm that traumatic brain injury (TBI) or concussion is clearly associated with increased risks of dementia decades after the injury is sustained. Research found that those who had sustained a single concussion were about twice as likely to be diagnosed with dementia after 15 years according to Anna Nordstrom, MD, PHD, as published in PLOS Medicine.

This coincides with the study released in Australia about rugby players who had suffered brain injury in play (multiple concussions). Those individuals had serious and marked cognitive and physical deficits compared to those without brain injury.

From a personal injury point of view this raises significant questions about personal injury settlements in cases where concussion occurs. Even if there is no significant immediate damage apparent, the research shows that these individuals may suffer greatly decades after the accident. The onset of symptoms are long removed from the accident and will be nearly impossible to link directly to the motor vehicle accident, slip and fall, or workplace injury.

The continuing narrowing of benefits to injured people by the government and insurance companies means that many people who suffer dementia later in life will be left to pay out of their own pockets for treatment, or to rely on OHIP and private insurance. It highlights the importance of hiring an experienced personal injury lawyer if you are injured in an accident of any kind. Many injuries which appear to be relatively minor at first glance, that seem to heal and allow a return to ‘normal’ life, can have very serious impacts to long term quality of life and earning potential.

Only an experienced personal injury lawyer can advise you of what is a reasonable settlement from your insurance company, and what you may expect to need in the long term for recovery and treatment. Reductions in medical and rehab benefits introduced last year by the province mean that the minimum coverage amounts provided through a standard policy are likely not enough to cover your needs in the event of a serious of catastrophic injury. I have written about this as well.  You should review your car insurance policy and consider reading the study that I had commissioned on how the lack of knowledge about insurance options puts Ontario drivers at risk.

Please consider calling a personal injury lawyer immediately following any accident in which you or a loved one is injured. Your initial consultation is free at my firm, and we can assess your situation. You can rely on Deutschmann Law – you won’t have to face your situation alone

About Deutschmann Law

Deutschmann Law serves South-Western Ontario with offices in Kitchener-Waterloo, Cambridge, Woodstock, Brantford, Stratford and Ayr. The law practice of Robert Deutschmann focuses almost exclusively in personal injury and disability insurance matters. For more information, please visit www.deutschmannlaw.com or call us at 1-519-742-7774.

It is important that you review your accident benefit file with one of our experienced personal injury / car accident lawyers to ensure that you obtain access to all your benefits which include, but are limited to, things like physiotherapy, income replacement benefits, vocational retraining and home modifications.