Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, or CTE, is a progressive brain disease that develops after repeated head trauma. The condition affects the way the brain functions and often results in long-term damage.
Doctors first linked CTE to athletes in contact sports, but research now shows that veterans, accident victims, and others exposed to repeated head impacts face similar risks. This article will explain how CTE develops, what symptoms appear, and what legal options exist if you or someone close to you has received this diagnosis.
What Is CTE and How Does It Affect the Brain?
CTE develops after a series of brain injuries. Each injury causes small changes inside the brain that build up over time. These injuries cause an abnormal form of “tau” protein to spread through brain tissue. The tau tangles block normal communication between brain cells. Over the years, this disruption causes permanent damage that affects memory, emotions, and behavior.
The damage most often affects the frontal and temporal lobes, which control judgment, impulse control, and mood. As the protein spreads, you may notice memory gaps, mood swings, and poor decision-making. With advanced disease, the brain shrinks and loses pathways that once allowed smooth thought and movement.
Causes and Risk Factors Linked to CTE
Repeated head trauma causes CTE. Athletes in football, boxing, hockey, and soccer face high risks because each impact—even without a diagnosed concussion—adds to the damage. The number of injuries, the force of each impact, and the years of exposure all influence whether CTE develops.
Military veterans face similar risks when exposed to blasts. People who have lived through repeated falls, car crashes, or assaults may also develop CTE later in life. Genetics appears to play a role as well, since some people develop the disease after fewer injuries than others. While not everyone exposed to head trauma will develop CTE, repeated damage over years increases the chances.
Symptoms That May Point to CTE
The first signs of CTE rarely appear right after an injury. Instead, symptoms develop slowly and may look like ordinary stress or age-related changes. Memory loss, short attention span, and poor judgment often appear early. Many people notice mood problems such as depression, irritability, or sudden anger.
As the disease advances, symptoms become more visible. Aggression, verbal outbursts, and impulsive actions may strain personal relationships. In some cases, physical problems such as tremors, balance issues, or rigid muscles appear. Speech may also slow or sound slurred. Because CTE progresses over the years, the changes often confuse families who cannot pinpoint when the decline began.
Legal Options for Individuals Affected by CTE
If CTE resulted from unsafe conditions, you may have legal options. Some families have filed lawsuits against sports leagues that failed to protect players or warn them about long-term risks. Others have pursued claims against equipment manufacturers when helmets or gear did not provide adequate protection. Veterans may have rights to benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs.
You may also qualify for workers’ compensation if your head injuries happened on the job. To succeed in these cases, you must prove a clear link between repeated head trauma and your diagnosis. This often requires medical records, witness statements, and expert testimony. Because these claims involve complex medical and legal issues, an attorney experienced with brain injury cases can guide you through the process and explain your options.
Contact Eason Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers for a Free Consultation
If you or a loved one received a CTE diagnosis, schedule a free consultation with Eason Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers. In this meeting, we can take the time needed to review your medical records, injury history, and the events that led up to your injury. We will explain your rights and outline potential legal strategies to recover compensation for the costs you face.
For more information, please contact Eason Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation with a personal injury lawyer in St. Louis, MO, today. We have two convenient locations in Missouri, including St. Louis and Richmond Heights.
We proudly serve St. Louis County and its surrounding areas.
Eason Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers – St. Louis Office
10 S Broadway #560
St. Louis, MO 63102
(314) 932-1066
Eason Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers – Richmond Heights Office
1034 S Brentwood Blvd Penthouse 1-C
Richmond Heights, MO 63117
(314) 463-4173
