Advocating for Your Child: Full Guide to Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)

Watching your child get hurt is every parent’s worst nightmare. If your child is dealing with the effects of a traumatic brain injury (TBI), here’s how to advocate for their needs and secure their future well-being.

Injuries after an accident are complex in any case, but especially when a head injury happens to your child. Pediatric TBIs are unfortunately common after a fall, car accident, and more, and can cause everything from physical and cognitive to emotional, relational and financial effects. 

At The Morris Law Group, our personal injury lawyers help families deal with pediatric TBI trauma and understand how uncertain the future is and how difficult the present can feel. Let’s walk through the nature of these injuries, the long-term effects, and how to advocate for your child’s and family’s needs. 

Common Causes of TBIs in Children

TBI injury can happen anytime to anyone, but children are particularly vulnerable to these injuries. 

What is the leading cause of TBI in children?

The most common cause of pediatric TBI head trauma is falls, accounting for over half of all medical cases. Children may fall down stairs, off furniture, from playground equipment or unsafe objects, and more. 

25% of childhood TBI brain trauma happens as a result of sports impacts,  followed by motor vehicle accidents and abuse. Occasionally, the cause may go unknown if there are no witnesses and a young child has difficulty communicating the circumstances around what happened. 

Childhood TBIs: The Good & The Bad

How does a TBI affect a child’s development?

A pediatric TBI head injury can be less severe in some cases because children have a potent capacity for healing over adults. Still, the injury can be more severe in some cases if it threatens to disrupt their development processes. 

Research shows that a significant portion of children deal with persistent symptoms after a TBI that affect their physical, emotional, and cognitive functioning. Since a child’s brain is still developing, you may not know the full extent of a TBI until later in adulthood. 

Common Symptoms of TBI in Children

Many TBI medical symptoms present similarly in children and adults, while others may be more subtle or pronounced. Trauma and the brain have a complicated relationship. 

Some typical childhood TBI brain injury symptoms include:

• Physical Symptoms. Your child may experience headaches, nausea, dizziness, fatigue, sleep disturbances, blurred vision, changes in bowel function, seizures, and impaired movement.
• Cognitive Symptoms. Your child may experience difficulty concentrating, memory and recall issues, slowed or affected thinking, post traumatic amnesia, confusion, and difficulty learning.
• Emotional and Behavioral Symptoms. Your child may experience irritability, depression, anxiety, mood swings, poor coordination, changes in sleeping patterns, aggression, impulsivity, and more. 

Your child may experience just a few symptoms or have more full-spectrum challenges. 

Childhood TBI Treatment: How to Deal With TBI Behaviours

How can I help my child with traumatic brain injury?

If you suspect your child may be dealing with a TBI, you should:

• Seek immediate medical attention. Some traumatic head injury symptoms take time to present themselves, so get to a medical professional for an assessment ASAP – a quick diagnosis can be invaluable to recovery.
• Follow your child’s treatment plan as prescribed by your doctor. Document your child’s symptoms, medical appointments, changes in behaviours, abilities, personality, and more.
• Speak with a personal injury lawyer. If someone else’s negligence caused your child’s TBI, contact a personal injury attorney to walk through your legal options and help your family navigate the complex legal system.
• Advocate for your child. Be patient, offer encouragement, and accept setbacks and frustrations as they come. Celebrate all progress along the way!
• Communicate openly with your child about how they’re feeling and what they need from you. Encourage them to express themselves so you can offer your full support.
• Adjust your home as needed to create a supportive environment for recovery. You may need to adjust lights, give them extra time for tasks like getting ready for school, and modify their physical environment as required.
• Talk to other parents and families experiencing pediatric TBIs. Seek out support groups, resources, and other emotional support. Prioritize your self-care through the process so you can continue to be the best caretaker possible. Eat well, rest, and take time for yourself where you can. 

The Morris Law Group—Best Accident Attorney Near Me

Families face serious challenges when dealing with a pediatric TBI. If you’re in a tough situation, our compassionate, experienced personal injury law team are dedicated to helping you navigate the legal process and secure the compensation your child deserves. 

The Morris Law Group’s lawyer injury team is ready to help your child and family recover from a TBI. We’re here to listen and serve as your advocates and personal injury lawyers to help you navigate the complicated legal and insurance systems. Request a free consultation or call us at 905-526-8080 to learn more.