Logging Accident Victim Suffers TBI
The Erickson family’s life in Missoula Montana changed forever the day their father and husband suffered a traumatic brain injury in a logging accident. Jeff Erickson in 2000, then 25-years-old, doesn’t know or remember what happened to him the day he was found unconscious in a tractor cab shortly after 10 a.m., let alone the previous six months of his life. Although loggers were downing trees near the accident, they heard nothing over the noise of chain saws as Jeff's 19,000-pound tractor tumbled 300 yards down the mountain. Once he reached the hospital the staff had to put Jeff in a drug-induced coma. Jeff remained in a coma for three weeks. Later he was moved to a community medical rehabilitation center and remained there for a little over a month. In rehab, Jeff's memory was hit-and-miss. He recognized wife and little girl. He couldn't recall his phone number, but he remembered his childhood number. He couldn't remember if he showered that morning, but when his wife and daughter brought in their miniature pinscher of 6 months and shouted “Scooby-Doo” just as always. According to traumaticbraininjury.net fifty percent of marriages fail within 24 months after a serious injury. His wife admits to staying with Jeff partly for the daughter’s sake, saying, “She needs her father.” Jeff still struggles with controlling his anger and relating with others, including his teenage daughter.
