Recovery From a Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

A subarachnoid hemorrhage is a serious and dangerous condition that can be life-threatening or cause long-lasting problems. To give the best chance of survival, surgery is usually needed to stop the bleeding and relieve symptoms. The long road to recovery after surgery includes many challenges and risks, both in the short and long term. 

The Brain Injury Law Firm understands the immense challenges you face when dealing with brain injuries and recovery from subarachnoid hemorrhage. Our founder has over five decades of experience with brain injury cases, recovering millions for our clients.

 When you are confronted with a situation where you need traumatic brain injury attorneys, we can provide you with unmatched knowledge in the difficult area of brain injury law and support you every step of the way.

You can contact us today for a free consultation by calling (757) 244-7000 or filling out the intake form online. 

A Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Explained

According to Johns Hopkins, a subarachnoid hemorrhage is a type of stroke that typically occurs when a ruptured aneurysm bursts and leaks into the space between the skull and the brain. 

As blood pools in the brain, pressure builds up and prevents oxygen from accessing various parts of the brain, which can lead to a loss of consciousness. Subarachnoid hemorrhages can lead to: 

• Comas
• Disabilities
• Paralysis
• Brain damage in severe cases

A vasospasm happens when the arteries in the brain tighten up because of irritation from bleeding, which is a serious concern following a subarachnoid hemorrhage. 

When these arteries tighten, it can slow down blood flow and put the person at risk of having another stroke, which can cause even more harm to the brain. If this occurs, they are at risk for even more damage to the brain. 

The onset of a subarachnoid hemorrhage is often characterized by a headache that most patients describe as the worst they have ever had. This is the best time to call 911, as a subarachnoid hemorrhage is an emergency and needs to be diagnosed and treated quickly. 

Diagnosing a subarachnoid hemorrhage can include a: 

• CT Scan
• MRI
• Angiogram
• Spinal tap

Treatment during recovery from subarachnoid hemorrhage includes medicine and surgery in an effort to stop the bleeding. 

Signs of a Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

Brain injuries aren’t always what they appear to be and can easily go undetected. However, knowing what to be aware of and acting quickly when it comes to a subarachnoid hemorrhage can save lives and minimize brain damage. 

Some of the most common signs that a person is experiencing a subarachnoid hemorrhage include:

• A severe headache that comes on suddenly
• Stiffness in the neck
• Sensitivities to light and impaired vision
• Nausea and/or vomiting
• Feeling weak, drowsy, and/or disoriented
• Seizures
• Losing consciousness

Signs of a brain bleed can have a delayed onset after experiencing a blow to the head or suffering injuries in car or truck accidents, but have the potential to cause death within hours if not treated immediately. 

Also, suffering a knock to the head could unleash a silent killer if symptoms do not present right away. Seeking medical attention as soon as symptoms manifest is vital to surviving a subarachnoid hemorrhage. 

Recovering from Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

Recovering from subarachnoid hemorrhage can be a long and difficult process that can take weeks, months, or years, depending on the severity and location of the injury and the age and health of the individual. 

The University of Washington (UW) Medicine Neurological Surgery department reports that people will each experience the effects of subarachnoid hemorrhage differently, and therefore recovery times can vary greatly. However, there are some characteristics that are common to subarachnoid hemorrhage recovery.

Because subarachnoid hemorrhage is a type of stroke, they share many of the same effects. As such, the ability to move the extremities and speak is often impaired right after a subarachnoid hemorrhage. 

Regaining these abilities can typically take a couple of weeks to a couple of months to improve, but the location of the injury can cause more severe impairments and take considerably longer to heal, if at all. 

Life After Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Recovery

Subarachnoid hemorrhage recovery often involves physical, occupational, and speech therapy to regain an individual’s capabilities or learn how to function in new ways if they have a disability. 

As research and science continue to learn more about brain injuries, new methods of treatment can also be incorporated into a patient’s treatment plan. The help of caregivers can also significantly impact an individual’s recovery. 

Personality Changes After Subarachnoid Hemorrhage 

Some patients may also experience personality changes after a subarachnoid hemorrhage. Changes in personality and mood can include:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Deliriousness
• Impulsiveness
• Reacting disproportionately to stimuli — also known as Pseudobulbar Affect 

Various treatments are available to help an individual through any personality and mood hurdles they may be facing. 

Life after a subarachnoid hemorrhage can feel like a constant battle. For some, their quality of life will never be the same.

Our team can help you demand the support and justice you need to rebuild and regain control of your future. Reach out to us online or call (757) 244-7000 to learn how we can support you in your healing journey.

Complications and Life Expectancy After a Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

A subarachnoid hemorrhage and vasospasm can be fatal if not treated immediately. Even then, individuals can still experience many serious complications on the way to recovery. While recovering, an individual may experience some of the following complications:

• Seizures
• Speech difficulties
• Sight difficulties
• Headaches 
• Fatigue
• Paralysis
• Weakness in extremities
• Concentration or organization difficulties 
• Short-term memory loss
• Changes in personality 
• Changes in perception

A subarachnoid hemorrhage can also affect an individual’s life expectancy. The Cleveland Clinic reports that one-third of patients die in the hospital, one-third recover but sustain a disability, and one-third recover normally. With treatment, there is an 18% chance of death after one year. Without treatment, 65% of individuals with a subarachnoid hemorrhage die within one year.

The Relationship Between a Subarachnoid Hemorrhage and a Coma

Comas are a particularly hazardous risk where a subarachnoid hemorrhage is concerned, and an important aspect to know about comas is that there are several types a patient can fall into. 

A person can experience a:

• Vegetative state
• Minimally responsive state
• Akinetic mutism
• Locked-in syndrome
• Brain death

An individual suffering from a subarachnoid hemorrhage is most likely to experience a vegetative state. 

When it comes to understanding severe brain injury and comas, it is important to be aware that comas can last for variable amounts of time, and the body and brain can still register some stimuli without being awake. 

It can often be impossible to estimate the condition a patient will be in if and when they may awake. Conversely, a patient may not respond to stimuli in some events but still have brain activity that can register the presence of stimuli. 

Understanding the factors contributing to a patient’s prolonged coma is important and should be able to be explained by a medical professional. If they cannot provide an explanation or are not evaluating the patient thoroughly, a traumatic brain injury attorney may be needed to ensure the patient is getting the medical attention they have the right to receive. Be sure to seek legal counsel if you are concerned something is amiss with your treatment. 

Treatment Costs Associated with Brain Injuries and Subarachnoid Hemorrhages

The costs associated with receiving treatment for subarachnoid hemorrhages and other brain injuries are staggering and increasing with every passing year. 

According to the National Library of Medicine, the most expensive costs for a patient with a brain injury were acquired during their stay in the hospital and ranged from $2,130 to $401,808 in the most recent year studied. Patients who have severe brain injuries — like a subarachnoid hemorrhage — are more likely to have higher expenses due to their extensive care requirements. 

ICU costs made up the majority of in-hospital expenses and went toward admission, imaging, lab work, and surgery. Longer hospital stays also incur more expenses. However, when considering the potential lifetime costs of treating and caring for someone who has suffered a severe brain injury, the in-hospital costs can appear lower by comparison. 

How a Lawyer Can Help After a Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

With the high medical costs associated with treating subarachnoid hemorrhages, being able to afford the care you need can seem next to impossible.

Additionally, getting the quality care you need and knowing how to avoid a brain injury rehabilitation nightmare during and after a subarachnoid hemorrhage can add another stressful layer to the recovery process. 

In such cases, working with a lawyer who is knowledgeable about the complexities of brain injuries and healthcare laws can give you the best chance at receiving compensation for your care. 

When an individual experiences a subarachnoid hemorrhage or other traumatic brain injury, it is often triggered by an accident or other form of harm that causes trauma to the head — oftentimes a result of someone else’s actions. 

Given the source of the injuries, a personal injury claim can be filed against the person who inflicted this harm. A traumatic brain injury lawyer can advise on the right course of action for your situation.

Litigating brain injuries can be a challenging process. Establishing negligence can often be difficult due to delayed symptoms or not having enough conclusive evidence to support the claim that someone caused your injuries. By working with an experienced personal injury attorney, the chances of a favorable outcome increase significantly. 

A traumatic brain injury lawyer will review your case and medical records to see how bad your brain injury is and determine the approach to take to increase your chance of success in a personal injury claim. 

They will compile documentation of your medical treatment and expenses to support your claim and establish that your injuries were caused by negligent actions. 

How Long Do I Have to File a Claim?

The amount of time you have to file a lawsuit for a subarachnoid hemorrhage varies depending on what state you are in. However, because of the statute of limitations, you only have a limited window of time to file a claim.

For example, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims in Virginia is two years from the time of injury. However, in situations where a condition is discovered beyond the two-year timeframe and is due to negligent medical malpractice, the statute of limitations may be extended by one year from the point of discovery. 

Talk to your lawyer to learn more about your rights and time allowance when considering filing a personal injury claim. 

Types of Damages You May Be Able to Recover for a Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

When you have suffered a subarachnoid hemorrhage due to someone else’s negligent actions, you may be able to get money for different types of damages, such as: 

• Economic damages, which cover things like medical bills and lost wages
• Non-economic damages help with things like pain, suffering, emotional stress, and how the injury affects your relationships
• Punitive damages, which are extra penalties given when another person’s actions were especially reckless or bad, to punish them and discourage similar actions in the future

The Brain Injury Law Center Is Ready to Support You

The team at the Brain Injury Law Center has a proven track record of success in handling brain injury cases and has even won Virginia’s largest personal injury verdict on record. 

Our experienced lawyers have fought for brain injury victims for over five decades to get them the compensation they need to cover the sizable costs of treatment for their damage and recovery. 

We understand how debilitating a brain injury can be and are ready to talk with you when you schedule a free consultation with our team today by contacting us online or calling (757) 244-7000.

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