Thinking of a brain injury usually brings up thoughts about the physical injuries that occur. It might even bring up thoughts related to the mental difficulties that a brain injury patient will go through. What some people don’t realize is that there are other effects of a brain injury that aren’t usually considered. One of these effects is homelessness.
The sad fact of the matter is that many people who are homeless have suffered a traumatic brain injury. Many of the people with a TBI who are homeless are unable to hold a job. This means that they are in an almost endless cycle of poverty.
Think about this for a few minutes — a former NFL player was recently found to be homeless. Chris Brymer’s ex-wife is now questioning how much his brain injuries from his football career has to do with the fact that he is homeless.
It is very difficult for a person with a TBI to be homeless. One reason for this is the need for medical care. They might suffer from high blood pressure or other medical conditions that need to be monitored. Proper monitoring is virtually impossible when you are on the street.
If you suffered from a brain injury that wasn’t your fault, you might decide that you want to seek compensation from the person who is responsible for the accident. This might help you get the financial means to support yourself so that you might be able to avoid homelessness. You should learn all of your options for seeking compensation before you decide what you are going to do.
Source: National Coalition for Homeless Veterans, “Findings from the District of Columbia Traumatic Brain Injury Needs and Resources Assessment,” accessed March 04, 2016