What Happens If the Parietal Lobe Is Damaged?

Most people don't think much about the parietal lobe until something goes wrong.

Although it isn't as widely recognized as other brain areas, such as the frontal or occipital lobes, the parietal lobe plays a crucial role in how we navigate the world. It helps us make sense of what we see, feel, and touch. It enables us to recognize objects, navigate our surroundings, and judge distance and direction.

So what happens if the parietal lobe is damaged? A lot can change—some of it subtle and inconvenient, some of it deeply life-altering. The effects often depend on where the injury occurs, its severity, and how quickly the person can receive the proper care and support.

Below, we explain what the parietal lobe does, how injuries can occur, and the types of symptoms that may appear when it isn't functioning correctly. We'll also talk about what help is available, because living with a brain injury is hard enough without trying to figure out everything alone.

Not all brain injuries are visible. If your loved one isn't acting like themselves after head trauma, call Brain Injury Law Center at (757) 244-7000 for a free case review.

Where the Parietal Lobe Sits and What It Does for You

The parietal lobe spans the upper back section of the brain, behind the frontal lobe and above the occipital lobe. It acts as a central hub for sensory processing related to touch, temperature, pain, and spatial awareness. It helps integrate input from your skin, eyes, muscles, and joints, allowing your body to coordinate movement and respond to its environment.

In the left parietal lobe, language-related functions such as reading, writing, and understanding numbers play a significant role. In the right parietal lobe, spatial orientation, visual mapping, and body positioning take priority. 

Each hemisphere of the brain controls and receives input from the opposite side of the body, which means an injury on one side often results in symptoms on the other.

Common Causes of Injury to the Parietal Lobe

The parietal lobe, like the rest of the brain, is vulnerable to sudden forces. Trauma may come from a direct blow to the back or top of the head, or from internal brain movement during a concussion. 

In many cases, what happens if the parietal lobe is damaged is tied to one of these causes:

• Motor vehicle accidents, such as side-impact or rollover collisions;
• Falls, including those involving stairs, ladders, icy surfaces, or workplace hazards;
• Assaults, such as being struck with an object or pushed to the ground;
• Blast injuries in military or industrial settings;
• Sports-related concussions, particularly in football, cycling, or gymnastics;
• Stroke or aneurysm in the parietal region; or
• Brain swelling or bleeding from infection or oxygen deprivation.

Even in cases where the skull remains intact, the brain can shift inside the cranium during high-speed events. That internal motion can bruise or shear delicate tissue in the parietal region, causing temporary or permanent loss of function.

What to Watch for After a Parietal Lobe Brain Injury

The signs of parietal lobe damage aren't always obvious. Unlike injuries that completely impair speech or movement, damage to this region often creates subtle shifts in how a person interprets the world. 

These are some of the most frequently reported parietal lobe damage symptoms:

• Difficulty judging distance, direction, or location;
• Problems with hand-eye coordination or reaching for objects;
• Unawareness of one side of the body or surroundings (spatial neglect);
• Trouble reading, writing, or performing calculations;
• Confusion about left and right;
• Poor sense of body position or balance;
• Inability to recognize objects by touch (astereognosis);
• Changes in sensitivity to pain, temperature, or pressure; and
• Disrupted ability to draw or assemble objects.

These symptoms vary based on which side of the parietal lobe is affected. Right-sided damage often leads to more spatial or visual issues, while left-sided damage tends to interfere with language and logical reasoning. Many people also experience emotional or behavioral changes as they try to adapt to a world that no longer feels familiar.

Parietal lobe injuries affect far more than memory or coordination. Contact the Brain Injury Law Center to discuss your legal options at (757) 244-7000 or message us online.

What Happens When the Parietal Lobe Is Damaged

After a parietal lobe injury, the brain may attempt to reroute functions or compensate by utilizing other regions. Some people recover with therapy, while others see long-term consequences. 

What happens when the parietal lobe is damaged often depends on the speed of treatment, the type of trauma, and the person's age and baseline cognitive health.

In the short term, patients may feel disoriented or unable to complete tasks that were once second nature. Something as simple as reaching for a glass of water may become difficult. In more severe cases, individuals may lose the ability to care for themselves, maintain employment, or navigate familiar environments.

The effects often ripple beyond the individual. Families may struggle to communicate with their loved ones, especially when mood swings or personality changes occur. Caregiving can be exhausting, and financial stress adds another layer of complexity. 

These secondary burdens are often overlooked in clinical conversations but play a major role in how families experience brain injury recovery.

Getting the Right Diagnosis and Rehab

If you've noticed these changes following an accident or trauma, the first step is to get medical attention, including diagnostic imaging such as an MRI or CT scan. Doctors may also administer cognitive tests and observe how the person performs physical tasks, engages in memory exercises, or follows instructions in real-time.

Recovery and rehab might involve:

• Occupational therapy to relearn tasks, increase independence, and adapt daily routines;
• Physical therapy to help with balance, movement, and coordination problems;
• Speech-language therapy when communication or expression is affected; and
• Neuropsychology support for tracking attention, emotion, and processing challenges.

Rehabilitation focuses not just on "fixing" what was lost, but on creating new pathways for the brain to rely on. Progress often happens gradually. That can be frustrating and disheartening when the person injured doesn't look obviously "sick" or impaired.

Daily Life and the Effects of Parietal Lobe Damage

The effects of parietal lobe damage are often most noticeable during routine activities. A person may:

• Struggle to dress themselves because they cannot feel the position of their limbs;
• Get lost walking through a familiar neighborhood;
• Drop utensils, phones, or tools because hand placement feels off;
• Miss half of a meal on their plate or fail to respond to people standing on one side;
• Experience frustration when trying to write a grocery list or manage bills; or
• Feel overwhelmed by noise, movement, or changing environments.

Even mild symptoms can create serious limitations in work, school, or family life. The ability to recover depends not just on rehabilitation but on a support system that adapts to the injury and provides consistency.

When Someone Else's Negligence Causes Your Brain Injury

Not all parietal lobe injuries stem from medical causes. Many result from preventable accidents, negligence, or unsafe environments. A property owner who failed to repair a stairwell. A trucking company that ignored hours-of-service rules. A supervisor who allowed unsafe equipment use. 

These choices can lead to life-altering brain trauma for someone else.

At Brain Injury Law Center, we represent individuals and families who are living with severe brain injuries, including parietal lobe damage. Our attorneys understand the long-term costs of this type of trauma and work to recover the resources our clients need to adjust, heal, and move forward with dignity.

Depending on your claim, you may be entitled to compensation for:

• Medical care and neuroimaging;
• Occupational and physical therapy;
• Lost income and reduced earning potential;
• Pain, suffering, and emotional hardship; and
• Long-term support needs or in-home care.

A successful claim doesn't reverse the injury, but it can provide the financial and legal foundation to build a future around new limitations.

Speak With a Brain Injury Lawyer Now

The human brain is remarkably resilient, but healing takes time, resources, and support. Strong legal guidance can ease that path by helping cover expenses, holding the right people accountable, and opening doors to care you might not have accessed otherwise.

For over 75 years, the Brain Injury Law Center has focused exclusively on traumatic brain injury cases. We've walked with families through some of the most challenging chapters of their lives and fought to achieve the best possible outcomes.

If you or someone you love is living with the effects of a brain injury caused by someone else's actions, call (757) 244-7000 today or contact us online to schedule a free consultation. We'll help you understand what happened, what your rights are, and how we can help.