Traumatic brain injury is a tragic consequence of slip and fall accidents and vehicles crashes and is caused by a blow or jolt to the head or a penetrating head injury. Even a mild traumatic brain injury can cause life-altering mental, emotional, sensory, and physical disabilities. However, there are assistive tools that can help the victim and his family better adjust to the changes in the victim’s life.
Types of Assistive Tools That Could Be Helpful to a Traumatic Brain Injury Patient
The type of assistive tools a person with traumatic brain injury would need depends on the disabilities he suffers. He could need assistance with a wide range of day-to-day activities, including:
- Eating
- Hearing
- Seeing
- Talking
- Walking or otherwise moving around
- Mental abilities, such as memory, problem solving, and concentration
Assistive tools can come in many different forms, from a home-made indoor ramp to allow a person to navigate into a room to voice recognition technology. Some common assistive tools include:
- Braille readers and embossers
- Computer equipment and programs, such as screen readers that read aloud and personalized keyboards
- Motorized wheelchairs
- Sip and puff systems to allow patients to operate devices and machines—like a computer or motorized wheelchair—through inhalation and exhalation
- Vision aides, like glasses, contacts, and special computer monitors
- Memory tools, like a smartphone, digital voice recorder, and personal digital assistant
Make Sure the Technology Fits in Your Life
In deciding what assistive tools would be helpful, there are a few things to consider. First, it’s important that the tools are simple to use and don’t require too much maintenance. The point is to make the traumatic brain injury victim’s life easier, not harder. It’s also important to test the device before purchasing it, preferably doing some of the day-to-day functions the person would be using it for. Finally, working with professionals trained in helping people find assistive tools can help in making decisions on what devices are needed and will work best for the patient.
Some of these assistive tools—like motorized wheelchairs, sip and puff systems, personalized keyboards, and screen readers—can be expensive, but could make a huge difference in a person’s qualify of life. Fortunately, an injured victim can seek compensation for these tools, as well as medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering, from the person or business that caused his traumatic brain injury.
Have you or a family member suffered a brain injury as a result of an accident where the other party was at fault? If so, start an online chat or call us at 800-989-6385 for a free consultation to learn about your legal options. We also offer free hospital and home consultations.
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