Most people think a brain injury is over once the bleeding stops or the scans come back "normal." But new research shows that's far from the truth. In fact, the damage caused by a traumatic brain injury (TBI) can last for weeks—even when the person looks fine on the outside.
This is a serious problem, especially when insurance companies try to stall or lowball TBI victims right when they need help the most. In brain injury cases, delay isn't just frustrating—it's dangerous.
The Damage Keeps Going, Long After the Impact
A new study published in The Conversation showed that in mice, the toxic effects of a brain injury continue for weeks after the initial trauma. Researchers found that damage didn't stop at the moment of impact—it kept building, creating a secondary wave of brain stress that affected recovery.
They also discovered something hopeful: an antioxidant compound helped reduce the long-term effects of that damage. It's a promising path toward future treatments, but it also confirms something we've seen for years as injury attorneys:
Brain injuries are time-sensitive. The longer a person waits to get help, the more damage worsen.
Insurance Delay Tactics Can Worsen Brain Injuries
Here's where things get worse. After an accident, many insurance companies drag their feet. They:
- Deny or delay diagnostic imaging
- Challenge whether a TBI is "real" if it doesn't show up on a CT scan
- Stall payments for neurotherapy, rehab, or specialist visits
These tactics aren't just paperwork problems. When you know that every week counts, delays like this become life-altering. People miss the window to get better. They lose the chance to prevent further damage. And in some cases, they live with symptoms that could have been reduced or avoided altogether.
Why Legal Help Matters in TBI Cases
As injury attorneys, our job is using the law to get people what they need, when they need it. In TBI cases, that means:
- Demanding immediate access to care
- Working with neurologists and brain injury experts
- Building a case that includes long-term consequences, not just short-term expenses
Timing is critical in these cases. An experienced legal advocate could make sure the insurance company doesn't stall you out or push you into a settlement that won't cover what you actually need.
Hope Is Coming. But You Still Need Help Now.
The antioxidant research gives us hope for better treatments in the future—but right now, there's only one way to reduce the long-term effects of a brain injury: early and aggressive care from experts.
If you or someone you love has suffered a traumatic brain injury, don't wait for insurers to do the right thing. Insurance companies already know the damage doesn't stop after impact—and they often use that time to protect themselves, not you.
At HHR, we fight to make sure you get the best care possible, right when you need it. Because with a brain injury, there's no time to waste.