The fatal police shooting of Keith Scott in Charlotte, North Carolina, last week is a tragic, complex matter. Further complicating the issue is the recent news that Mr. Scott may have had a traumatic brain injury (TBI).
Scott’s wife filmed the shooting on her cellphone. The recording shows that she told police that her husband had a TBI and had recently taken medication. Whether police understood the implications of that is currently unclear. What is clear, however, is that people with a TBI often have trouble understanding instructions and reacting appropriately, especially in stressful situations.
The debilitating effects of a TBI
The Brain Injury Association of America president, Susan Connors, said that a serious brain injury may have impacted the way Mr. Scott understood language: “He could have problems following commands…with judgment, with sequencing and planning.”
TBIs cause a broad range of symptoms and side effects in patients. In addition to headaches, nausea and dizziness, they often cause cognitive and emotional disorders such as:
- Confusion
- Memory loss
- Difficulty with speech and language
- Mood and personality changes
People suffering these types of symptoms may have trouble doing routine daily tasks under the best circumstances. In a stressful situation such as the incident between Keith Scott and the police, a TBI can make it extremely difficult for the injured person to understand and respond.
If a loved one has suffered a brain injury, you need to ensure he or she receives the necessary medical treatment. You may need financial compensation in order to cover the medical bills. Learn whether you have a personal injury claim if a negligent party caused the injury.
