Many people will suffer some immediate or acute memory loss following an accident, injury or trauma of any kind. For some this can last a few moments, days, weeks, or even months and in more severe cases patients may suffer from long-term memory loss and face issues throughout their life in relation to their memory and brain function.

Our Personal Injury and Clinical Negligence team have dealt with many clients suffering from brain injury or memory loss as a result of an accident or medical negligence. Although in some cases memory cannot be restored, we can help clients obtain the compensation they deserve by fighting their case from start to finish.

How the Brain Works

The brain is a fascinating organ and there are many parts of the brain responsible for memory, which may be a factor as to why trauma, accidents and substance abuse can all contribute to memory loss in various ways.

There are 3 different types of memory – sensory, short-term and long-term.

Long-term memory further breaks down into another 6 areas. Explicit Memory (conscious), Implicit Memory (unconscious), Declarative Memory (facts and events), Procedural Memory (skills and tasks), Episodic Memory (events and experiences) and Semantic Memory (facts and concepts).

Memory Problems after Brain Injury

Sadly, after injury memory problems can occur, particularly after suffering a brain injury. Depending on the area of the brain that has been affected, memory problems may vary. Some common memory problems acquired after brain injury are; retrograde amnesia (difficulty remembering information or event prior to the accident or injury), post-traumatic amnesia (difficulty remembering things after the injury), short-term memory problems (struggling to retain information for short periods of time) and prospective memory problems (struggling to remember things in the future).

It can be incredibly difficult to adjust after a brain injury and both the sufferer and their family and friends. However, many people can still live a very normal life after brain trauma using adjustments, memory aids and training and therapy.

Tips & Tricks to Aid Memory Loss

We would hope that if you have suffered from memory loss or on-going memory problems that you receive regular care and support from your medical professionals. There are some adjustments and exercises that you may find useful for boosting your memory and helping you to function;

• Practise meditation and use mindfulness
• Gentle exercise
• Eat less sugar and try eating brain-boosting foods such as fish oils, turmeric, berries, dark chocolate and broccoli
• Research vitamins and supplements
• Crossword puzzles, sudokus, word searches and mental maths
• Card games and memory games such as pairs
• Learning to dance or play a new sport – this helps with memory and coordination as well as physical fitness
• Fine motor skill activities such as drawing or painting – this also helps the brain to relax
• Use lists, a journal, alarms and reminders
• Using word associations to remember names and places
• Saying things out loud or writing them down
• Ensure you sleep well
• Refrain from alcohol

These exercises may help depending on the severity of your memory problems and should be considered alongside any medical advice or treatments you are currently undertaking.

If you are suffering with memory loss as a result of negligent treatment or an accident that wasn’t your fault, such as a trip, fall, sporting injury or car accident then please get in touch with our large Personal Injury and Clinical Negligence Team to see if we can help.

We work on a no win, no fee basis and will be able to give you sensible advice on whether you have a claim.

If you have suffered, or would like to make contact on behalf of a friend or family member, please call our team on 01256 844888 or email enquiries@lambbrooks.com.

The contents of this article are for the purposes of general awareness only. They do not purport to constitute legal or professional advice.  The law may have changed since this article was published.   Readers should not act on the basis of the information included and should take appropriate professional advice upon their own particular circumstances.