May 27, 2016 | By Greene Broillet & Wheeler
It’s in the plot of every cliched soap opera — the individual suffering from amnesia who struggles to remember his or her past.
Yet amnesia is a real condition where a person’s memories, experiences and information elude them. In most cases, though, persons suffering from amnesia still retain their sense of self-identity. More commonly, they struggle with retaining new memories and recalling newly learned information.
Amnesia can stem from brain damage in areas where memories are processed and can be permanent. Some types of amnesia known as transient global amnesia are temporary episodes. Doctors don’t have a standard treatment protocol for treating amnesia, although treatment usually includes techniques to enhance a patient’s memory, along with psychological support to help them cope.
Amnesia can be a result of traumatic brain injuries after a car accident or other incident. This complication is relatively rare, however, but it can be devastating for the person who suffers from it and his or her family members. In its most severe form, amnesia victims may need to have caregivers with them at all times to keep them safe and assist them with activities of daily life.
If you suffered a TBI and wound up with amnesia as a long-term complication, you may want to look into your legal options for seeking financial compensation. Any settlement offer should include a sufficient amount for future projected care costs. The younger the person is who is suffering from amnesia, the more money they may need over a lifetime to ensure that their care needs are always adequately met and addressed.