A traumatic brain injury can affect how a person thinks, moves, communicates, and performs everyday activities. When trauma damages the parietal lobe, a person may experience problems involving sensation, spatial awareness, coordination, reading, writing, or other functions.
If you or a loved one suffered a parietal lobe injury because of another party’s negligence in Dallas, Texas, you may have grounds for a personal injury claim. Benton Accident & Injury Lawyers can investigate what happened and determine what options may be available for pursuing compensation.
What Is a Parietal Lobe Injury?
The parietal lobes are located near the upper rear portion of the brain. They help the brain process sensory information involving touch, temperature, pain, and the position of different parts of the body. The parietal lobe also plays an important role in spatial awareness and several learned skills.
A parietal lobe injury occurs when this region of the brain is damaged. The effects can vary depending on the location and extent of the damage.
Traumatic parietal lobe injuries may result from incidents such as:
- Car accidents
- Falls
- Sports and recreational accidents
- Assaults
- Workplace accidents
- Other incidents involving significant trauma to the head
The parietal lobe can also be affected by non-traumatic medical conditions such as strokes, tumors, infections, and certain neurological diseases.
What Are the Symptoms of a Parietal Lobe Injury?
The symptoms of a parietal lobe injury depend on which areas are affected and the severity of the damage. Because this part of the brain performs several functions, symptoms can differ considerably from one person to another.
Potential symptoms may include:
- Numbness or abnormal sensations
- Difficulty distinguishing between hot and cold
- Problems with hand-eye coordination
- Difficulty recognizing or responding to one side of the body or surroundings
- Trouble distinguishing left from right
- Difficulty reading or writing
- Problems performing calculations
- Difficulty judging distances or spatial relationships
- Problems identifying objects through touch
Some symptoms may significantly interfere with a person’s independence. Problems with spatial awareness or coordination, for example, can make activities such as dressing, navigating surroundings, driving, or performing work tasks more difficult.
How Are Parietal Lobe Injuries Diagnosed?
Diagnosing a brain injury may involve a neurological examination, review of symptoms and medical history, and diagnostic testing. Doctors may assess movement, sensation, coordination, language, memory, and other neurological functions.
Imaging such as CT scans or MRIs may be used to identify bleeding, swelling, structural damage, or other abnormalities. Additional testing may be necessary to evaluate specific cognitive, sensory, or functional difficulties.
The appropriate diagnostic process depends on the circumstances and the person’s symptoms.
How Are Parietal Lobe Injuries Treated?
Treatment depends on what caused the injury, its severity, and the symptoms the person experiences. There is no single treatment plan that applies to every parietal lobe injury.
Depending on the patient’s needs, treatment and rehabilitation may involve:
- Physical therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Speech and language therapy
- Cognitive rehabilitation
- Medications
- Treatment for seizures when necessary
- Surgery in certain cases involving structural injuries or pressure on the brain
Rehabilitation may focus on improving movement, coordination, communication, sensory processing, or the ability to perform everyday tasks. Some patients may also learn strategies for adapting to functions that remain impaired.
Recovery varies significantly. Some people experience substantial improvement, while others may have long-term or permanent limitations.
Can I File a Personal Injury Claim for a Parietal Lobe Injury?
A person who suffers a parietal lobe injury because of another party’s negligence may be able to pursue compensation through a personal injury claim.
A negligence claim generally requires evidence showing:
- The defendant owed the injured person a duty of care
- The defendant breached that duty
- The breach caused the injury
- The injured person suffered legally compensable damages
For example, a driver who causes a collision through negligent conduct may potentially be responsible for a resulting brain injury. Other legal standards can apply depending on how the injury occurred.
Evidence such as accident reports, photographs, video footage, witness statements, medical records, and expert analysis may help establish how the injury occurred and who was responsible.
What Compensation May Be Available for a Parietal Lobe Injury?
Brain injuries can create immediate expenses as well as financial and personal losses that continue for years. The damages available in a particular case depend on the circumstances and the effects of the injury.
Potential damages may include:
- Emergency and hospital expenses
- Future medical care
- Rehabilitation costs
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Physical impairment
- Other accident-related losses
A severe parietal lobe injury may affect a person’s ability to work independently, perform household activities, or participate in activities they previously enjoyed. These long-term effects can be relevant when evaluating the damages associated with a claim.
Contact the Dallas Personal Injury Attorneys at Benton Accident & Injury Lawyers for Help Today
A parietal lobe injury can affect sensation, movement, spatial awareness, and other abilities that are important to everyday life. When another party’s negligence causes a serious brain injury, the injured person may have legal options for seeking compensation.
Benton Accident & Injury Lawyers can investigate the circumstances surrounding the injury, evaluate the resulting losses, and determine what steps may be available. Contact the firm today for a free consultation with a Dallas personal injury lawyer.