A teenager lost the ability to read or write following a road traffic accident, in a case which scientists have said is one of a kind.
The 19-year-old had to be taught how to read and right again from a basic child’s level but is now at university.
One Of A Kind
The victim suffered from a serious case of whiplash and hit his head when involved in a car accident. Despite believing that he had escaped the accident unscathed, the teen found that a few hours after the incident he was in pain, and that words on the TV seemed like alien symbols.
In two months, the teen lost all ability to read and write, becoming totally illiterate following the accident. Scientists believe that it is one of the only times such an injury has resulted in a loss of literacy.
A brain scan revealed that the teen had an 8mm cyst on part of the brain linked to memory recall which the accident had caused, meaning that the victim lost the ability to read and write.
Brain expert Dr Lynne Barker said: “It’s extremely rare for someone to completely lose the ability to read and write at the same time.
“It’s normally one or the other, or partial loss of both, and usually only follows serious brain injury. In this case, the patient had sustained minor injuries but there was no pathology to the brain.
“It seems the accident caused the cyst to grow, causing him to lose the ability to read and write very rapidly after the accident.”
The case was published in the British Medical Journal following the victims recovery.
Whiplash Injuries
As stated above, the injuries sustained by the victim are rare in a whiplash accident, however, whiplash can have some serious symptoms. Whiplash is caused by the uncontrolled jerking of the head, leading to the straining and bruising of the tendons and ligaments in the neck. Such an injury can cause extreme pain, inability to move properly, lack of sleep, and even dizziness or headaches. If you suffer from whiplash, it is important that you seek medical help in order to assess your injuries and ensure that no further complications arise from your injury.
Sadly whiplash remains one of the most common fraudulently claimed injuries. By getting your injury checked out you are ensuring that if you choose to make a claim, the extent of your injuries can be verified, and when making a claim, the medical report will ensure it is genuine.
Although whiplash claims often receive negative press, if you are unable to work or your life is hampered by your injuries, can you really afford to not take legal action and get the compensation you deserve?
Cause
Whiplash can occur in almost any accident. However, it is most common in road traffic accidents, especially in rear-end collisions. If you are involved in a road traffic accident, it is important to take as many details as possible in order to hold the person responsible to account. The symptoms of whiplash can take up to 12 hours to develop, however, such symptoms can be exceptionally painful. We believe if you are injured as a result of an accident that is not your fault, then you have the right to hold the person responsible to account.
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If you require legal advice or representation or believe, you have grounds to make a personal injury claim. Contact us today using our online contact form.