An accident attorney in Minneapolis, MN may have represented many clients who suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) during a slip-and-fall incident. When these accidents are due to someone else’s carelessness or negligence, the injured person deserves compensation covering medical expenses, lost wages and other costs. Sometimes, a TBI victim experiences an unusual effect: a dramatic reduction in the sense of smell.
About the Disorder
Traumatic anosmia occurs when the olfactory nerve is damaged. This nerve is responsible for communicating with the brain about smells. This condition usually only lasts a couple of months. For some individuals, however, it continues for more than a year.
Maximum Medical Improvement
After the patient reaches maximum medical improvement for the other injuries, the lawyer will want a physical exam scheduled to focus on the anosmia. An ear, nose and throat doctor or neurologist can provide a definitive diagnosis. These specialists will determine whether the condition should eventually heal or if the damage is severe enough to cause permanent issues. An experienced accident attorney in Minneapolis, MN will demand compensation for any permanent reduction in the sense of smell.
Safety Implications
When communicating with the insurer, the lawyer will address the safety implications of this problem. With a malfunctioning olfactory system, the individual might not smell something burning in the oven, a home’s natural gas leak or strange odors when driving.
Decreased Quality of Life
Because of traumatic anosmia, the person cannot enjoy aromas like favorite foods, evergreen trees and flowers. A reduced sense of smell also decreases a person’s ability to taste foods and beverages.
