Getting older is something for everyone to appreciate. That said, there are some hardships that come with getting older that your loved ones have to consider. As your loved ones age, their bones can become weaker, and they may not be as mobile as they once were. As such, your elderly loved ones are likely more prone to brain injuries than younger individuals.
Reacting to a loved one’s brain injury is never straightforward. Fortunately, you can address the circumstances that led to a loved one’s injury with the help of a New York injury attorney. While you help your loved one recover, we can pursue financial support for your loved one’s losses in civil court.
Why Elderly Individuals Are More Likely to Suffer From Brain Injuries
Your elderly loved ones may be more likely to suffer from severe brain injuries because:
Increased Bone Weakness Can Compromise Brain Safety
As a person gets older, their bones begin to grow weaker. In general, this can make an elderly loved one more prone to broken hips, wrists, or other joints. However, that same weakness can be found in the skull. As such, an elderly individual who suffers a fall may be more likely to suffer a fracture or similar injury than they would have when they were younger.
Brain Shrinkage Can Increase a Person’s Likelihood of Injury
The term “brain shrinkage” does not refer to a person’s waning intelligence. Instead, the mass of the brain begins to decrease as humans grow older. As such, the brain may have more room to shift if a person is exposed to a significant degree of force.
Elderly individuals can endure concussions and similar brain injuries if their brains come into forceful contact with their skulls. When a person’s brain no longer uses the same amount of space that it used to, even a minor accident can result in this kind of dangerous contact.
Mobility Issues Can Compromise Your Loved Ones’ Balance
Your loved ones have to worry about more than their changing skulls. As a person gets older, it can be more difficult to maintain their balance. Mobility issues can make the paths that were once easy to navigate perilous for some individuals.
As such, even everyday walks can become potential hosts for a loved one’s brain injuries. If you want to get ahead of this kind of condition, you can provide your loved one with mobility aids or ensure that they remain supervised when making their way along perilous roads.
How to React to an Elder’s Brain Injury
If you come across a loved one who’s endured a recent brain injury, you need to act quickly. Make sure your loved one receives the medical care that they need as soon as possible. Once you have delivered your loved one into the hands of medical professionals, consider contacting a personal injury lawyer to investigate the circumstances that led to your loved one’s condition.
The faster you can get in contact with a legal representative, the sooner you can get ahold of the evidence you need to establish liability for your loved one’s accident. We can take over an investigation for you, allowing you to tend to your loved one’s brain injury without compromising your right to legal action.
Brain Injuries Can Indicate Elder Negligence or Abuse
An aging body is not the only force that can contribute to your loved one’s chance of developing a brain injury. Elder and nursing home abuse can also negatively impact your loved one’s health. Should you suspect that someone in contact with your loved one has contributed to their brain injury, you can take action against that individual in civil court.
Dalli & Marino, LLP provides legal support for any individuals who want to act on behalf of an injured elder. You can bring concerns in both English and Spanish forward to our team. We can schedule your first case consultation online or over the phone. Call (888) 465-8790 or use our contact form for more information.
