Head injuries can happen in car accidents, slip-and-fall accidents, bike accidents and many other such incidents. They can happen without warning and even taking proper precautions — such as wearing a helmet while riding a bike or a motorcycle — does not guarantee that you will not suffer from such an injury.
If you do, one potential consequence is the loss of a sense, such as a loss of smell. This may be temporary or permanent. Remember that brain injuries — the real cause of your loss of smell — often do not fully heal. They are very complex and every case is different. Even if doctors do all that they can and you feel in good health otherwise, that sense may never return.
This loss of smell can also impact your ability to taste, with some medical professionals noting that it’s the main reason for a loss of taste for those who have suffered a traumatic brain injury. The two senses are very closely related.
Losing either of these senses is more than just an inconvenience. It can change your life. Will you still enjoy the foods that you use to love? You can imagine how someone who is passionate about a specific type of drink — a professional wine taster, for instance — would be devastated to lose these senses. But that’s true for anyone. When your quality of life declines, it’s a major change.
You also have to think about safety. Scents are added to dangerous gasses, like propane, to keep you safe. But, if you can no longer smell or taste, will you now overlook those warning signs? Is that an important danger in your line of work?
If you do suffer lasting changes due to a TBI, you need to know what options you have. Financial compensation won’t restore your health, but it can make it easier to get the care and services you need moving forward.
