What is the definition of permanant TBI
 

Whilst many people do indeed see their symptoms reduce over time to the point where they have "recovered" within months of the injury. At the other end, there are cases where someone has had a horrific head injury where it is clear that from the early stages that they will sadly suffer the effects forever.

However, there are many people posting on here whom are still suffering still suffering 2, 3, 4 or more years after their initial injury.

This may sound a strange question but is there a definition of how long you have to suffer from an injury for it to be classed as permanent or is there some other classification?

Apologies if this is phrased badly - not having a good day today

Some say that the symptoms you have at one year are permanent. There is evidence that recovery can continue many years later.

There are a few issues that confuse this;

Many of the so-called 'fully recovered' do not notice lingering symptoms until some event triggers them. Then they often do not relate the new or relapse of symptoms to the original injury.

Many get to the point of reluctant acceptance of their prolonged symptoms and drop out of the medical treatment system thus appearing to be fully recovered.

Many symptoms are overcome by learning new ways to do things. Others are overcome by changes in lifestyle/behavior.

It might be better to phrase the question into a context such as, When do you need to accept your symptoms as prolonged or permanent so as to apply for disability, settle litigation, adapt to a new way of living, etc.?

My history goes back 40+ years. I have declined in steps over the years. Some symptoms resolved in the first year. Others became 'dormant' to return when triggered. The more concussions or even very mild traumas my brain has endured, the more residual symptoms I have had to learn to live with. Some of my symptoms and behaviors I did not connect to my concussion history until the last 12 years even though I now believe they were caused by injuries decades ago.

So, there is not single, easy answer.

Do you have a context to relate your question to?

My best to you.

Every brain injury and recovery is different.

It depends a lot on the location of the damage, the severity, lifestyle changes during recovery, how much stress your under...and many other factors. There is really no real answer to your question.

"You've seen one brain injury, you've seen one brain injury".

That phrase has been used on this forum before...and it couldn't be any truer.

My recovery has been a constant decline since 3 months. I still have just about every problem I had immediately after the injury + new symptoms and worsening of old symptoms.

Other people on here might tell you they still see improvements a year or more down the road. Another may say they didn't improve at all and just stayed the same.

It's really hard to predict how you're going to recover. There's a lot of good advice on this forum that can help you maximize your recovery.

Nick

Thanks Mark as always that was very helpful. As you say the phrasing of these questions is very important. Part of my problem at the moment I can converse relatively well but putting it into text ....

The reason for the question is that several years ago I took out critical illness (not health) insurance which if your unfortunate enough to get a severe illness and can't work will pay out a monthly sum to help you live on. My policy does cover TBI - only if it is a permanent condition.

Thanks Nick,

I guess I am lot like the other people on here, seemingly stuck in a "non mans land" waiting to get confirmation of the injuries so that you can get treatment and get better whilst at the same time trying to convince insurance companies and solicitors that we are genuinely ill and not faking it or malingering.

In my case I have the person admiting they are negligent and caused my injury but want to know how long my injury will last before offering a settlement and an insurance company asking the same questions.

Excellent thread topic, I am in the same boat as you as far as the no mans land of potential disability, admitted liability from my employers but confusion over settlement and future disability benefit entitlement x