Costs Associated With Traumatic Brain Injury

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A traumatic brain injury (TBI) can shake your world in a number of ways, including changing the way that you navigate the world and interact with others. But TBI costs can also have devastating financial impacts.

The medical care associated with TBIs can be costly, especially when the injury leads to a long-term disability. If you have suffered a TBI due to accidents that were someone else's fault, a traumatic brain injury lawyer can help you receive the financial compensation you need and deserve. In this blog, let’s break down some of the common TBI costs.

What Is a Traumatic Brain Injury?

So what is traumatic brain injury?

Sometimes shortened to TBI, a traumatic brain injury is a severe brain injury that is often caused by a violent blow to the head. This type of head injury is most often the result of a fall, an assault, or a motor vehicle accident, but a TBI can happen in any number of ways. Some TBIs are mild, only affecting the brain cells temporarily. Those may take weeks or months to recover, and will almost certainly require a trip to the emergency room. 

Other TBIs can be more long-lasting, especially if the injury bruises brain tissue, breaks the skull, or results in bleeding.

There are two main types of TBIs

  • Closed brain injury: A brain injury that does not break the skull but can result in bruising or bleeding internally. 
  • Penetrating brain injury: Occurs when the impact breaks the skull. A penetrating brain injury almost certainly needs surgery and will likely need a long-term recovery plan.

In addition to the physical effects, TBIs can also include psychological symptoms. Your brain is, after all, the core of your central nervous system, so much like a spinal cord injury, a TBI can lead to cognitive impairments. 

Common symptoms of a TBI include:

  • Headache
  • Nausea, dizziness, or vomiting
  • Fatigue 
  • Speech impediments
  • Loss of consciousness or disorientation
  • Sensory issues or light/sound sensitivity
  • Memory issues
  • Mood changes
  • Depression or anxiety
  • Sleeping issues

The Financial Burden of Traumatic Brain Injuries

After a TBI, you are likely to be saddled with hefty direct costs and indirect costs, many of which you may not have considered until you're faced with a TBI. Some of the major direct and indirect costs associated with TBIs include: 

Hospital Costs and Treatment

Hospital and treatment costs are among the most direct costs after a TBI. Whether the injury is mild or severe, chances are you’ll have to go to the hospital for treatment. These initial treatments can be very costly to patients with even a one-time emergency room visit costing thousands of dollars. If you need surgery, it could cost even more. 

After the immediate medical expenses, you may also spend years post-injury paying for further medical treatments and follow-ups. There may be costs for long-term TBI treatments such as rehabilitative therapy or annual health care. 

Intangible Costs

Some costs may not have a concrete dollar sign behind them, but they have a heavy impact on your life nonetheless. These indirect costs are also eligible for compensation.

Quality of Life

After your TBI, you may have to live with frustrating long-term symptoms such as cognitive impairments, difficulty speaking, depression, anxiety, or disabilities. These can all severely impact your quality of life. You may not be able to enjoy the same things you once did, socialize in the same way you used to, or you may experience a disheartening productivity loss. All of these things represent intangible costs that equate to reduced quality of life.

Pain and Suffering

A traumatic brain injury is just that: traumatic. It can cause a great deal of emotional pain and suffering in addition to the physical symptoms. If you pursue compensation because of your TBI, you may have to speak with a mental health professional in order to receive an evaluation and make a case for pain and suffering damages.

Indirect Costs

Some symptoms of a TBI may lead to further costs. These indirect costs do not have an immediate impact but can add up in the long run. Loss of income is an important indirect cost. You may need to see a therapist to treat some of the symptoms of your TBI in years to come or you may need to start taking regular medication. Depending on the severity of your brain injury, you may be paying treatment costs for the rest of your life.

Litigation Costs

In addition to the emotional and medical costs, you could also face steep litigation costs if you choose to sue for damages. Although you might win your case, the cost of a trial can be a steep investment. Litigation can also be emotionally and psychologically taxing, which may further exacerbate the indirect and intangible costs you are already incurring. It helps to find a compassionate traumatic brain injury lawyer who offers contingency fees — meaning that they don’t charge you for their services unless they win your case. In these situations, their pay often comes out of the compensation that you receive.

Relieve the Economic Burden of a TBI With the Right Attorney

You may be facing a long road to recovery after a TBI. The economic burden can only make that recovery more cumbersome. If the negligence of someone else caused your TBI, consider seeking compensation with the help of The Moore Law Firm.

The Moore Law Firm has years of experience helping personal injury victims get the compensation they need and deserve. We work on a contingency fee basis, and we’re here to help you. Contact us today to learn more or to schedule a free consultation.

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If you have been injured or have lost a loved one as a result of another person's negligence, you deserve to be fully compensated for your losses. The simple fact is that you should not be forced to pay the price for another person's careless or reckless actions.