What Is CTE?
Scientists are only now beginning to develop a better understanding of CTE or chronic traumatic encephalopathy. This degenerative brain condition can have a lasting impact on accident victims and their families. If you or a loved one is currently dealing with CTE, it is important that you understand what this condition is and what it means for your life.
Overview of CTE
Repeated impacts to the head can cause brain neurons to weaken and tear, which can result in CTE. When there are repeated blows to the head, damage can accumulate. According to the Concussion Legacy Foundation, Tau proteins in damaged neurons can clump together and spread throughout the brain. Scientists believe these clumps interfere with brain functioning.
CTE cannot be cured. It is a chronic condition. It develops after trauma to the brain, such as a concussion you might have suffered in a car accident. Traumatic brain injuries can degenerate brain tissue, damaging the brain’s structure and function.
Cause of CTE
The cause of CTE is currently unknown. However, studies suggest that repeated brain injuries significantly increase the likelihood of developing this condition.
Symptoms Of CTE
People with CTE may suffer from wide-ranging symptoms, including memory loss, confusion, and mood changes. Symptoms may fall under various categories, including:
Motor Symptoms
CTE can affect a person’s motor skills.
Symptoms may include:
- Tremors
- Muscle atrophy
- Slow movement
- Slurred speech
Motor symptoms may alter the course of your life, making tasks that were once simple for you more challenging.
Cognitive Symptoms
Cognitive signs of CTE include:
- Confusion
- Difficulty remembering
- Difficulty making decisions
- Forgetting words
- Disorientation
These symptoms can significantly impact your daily life.
Behavioral Symptoms
People with CTE may experience changes in their behavior. They may become more impulsive or erratic. They may suffer from severe mood swings or become emotionally unstable.
Those with CTE may experience depression or become apathetic regarding others or their favorite pastimes.
What To Do if You Suspect CTE
Unfortunately, CTE can only be affirmatively diagnosed with an autopsy. Doctors cannot diagnose someone with CTE with an MIRO or other type of brain scan. Doctors can sometimes observe Tau proteins or atrophy of the brain tissue that indicates CTE.
However, doctors sometimes diagnose CTE in live patients by considering the patient’s various symptoms in conjunction with their prior brain trauma history.
Common Causes of CTE
CTE is caused by brain trauma.
Common causes of brain trauma include:
- Participation in contact sports, including football and hockey
- Combat injuries during military service
- Repeated domestic assaults
People who have experienced previous brain trauma are more vulnerable to suffering CTE when they get into a subsequent accident that involves a brain injury. These accidents include slip and falls, car accidents, and pedestrian accidents. CTE does not require that someone necessarily suffer regular and repeated brain injuries. A couple of brain injuries can make TAU protein clumps begin to form, leading to CTE.
Compensation for CTE
If you have suffered a brain injury, it is possible that you will have lifelong problems related to it.
You may need compensation to pay for:
- Immediate medical expenses, including emergency room fees, ambulance rides, hospitalizations, and surgeries
- Ongoing medical expenses for physical, occupational, and speech therapy
- Future anticipated medical expenses
- Lost wages while you seek medical attention or recover
- Reduced earning capacity if you have to work a less demanding, lower-paying job or are permanently disabled because of your brain injury
An experienced personal injury lawyer can help determine the compensation you may be entitled to and fight for your fair recovery.
Contact an Experienced Lakewood Brain Injury Attorney For Help With Your Claim
If you’ve been injured in Lakewood, CO, and need legal help, contact an experienced brain injury lawyer at Matos Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation.
Matos Personal Injury Lawyers – Lakewood Office
550 S Wadsworth Blvd, Suite 300, Lakewood, CO 80226
(720) 807-1602
Hours: Open 24/7