How Much Is A Traumatic Brain Injury Case Worth?
Despite being tucked away behind a thick layer of bone, soft tissue, and cerebral cerebrospinal fluid, the brain is the most vulnerable organ in the body. While a muscle can sustain a bruise or tear without impacting its ability to function properly, and will typically heal quickly, any small injury to the brain takes weeks, months, or even years to heal. A traumatic brain injury (TBI), can be a result of a traffic collision, work injury, slip and fall, or other unintentional incident caused by one party’s negligence. In these situations, the at-fault party is liable for the victim’s damages. In order to understand what your damages are worth for your TBI, you need to discuss your case with an experienced Orlando personal injury attorney.
Potential Consequences of a Severe Traumatic Brain Injury
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a severe TBI can lead to the following:
- Loss of Cognitive Function—The victim’s attention and memory can be negatively impacted;
- Loss of Motor function—Coordination, balance, and strength may be compromised;
- Changes to Sensation—The victim’s sight, hearing, taste, and sense of touch may be decreased or altered; and
- Changes in Behavior—TBI victims often experience emotional changes such as anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts, or aggression. They may also experience a change in their personality or ability to control their behaviors.
Damages in a Traumatic Brain Injury Case
- Lost wages;
- Lost earning ability;
- Medical expenses and future lifetime medical expenses;
- Pain and suffering;
- Loss of joy of life;
- Emotional distress;
- Housekeeping and/or childcare expenses due to disability;
- Modifications to your home or vehicle for disability;
- Other transportation costs due to disability; and
- More.
Lifetime Treatment Costs
Victims of severe traumatic brain injury can expect their injury to rack up between $85,000 and $3,000,000 in lifetime treatment costs, according to Northwestern. However, this does not take into account the true cost of the victim’s compensatory damages (economic damages), such as their lost earning capacity due to long term or permanent disability. Victims of serious brain injuries may have trouble finding employment or navigating other areas of society that, before their injury, took little difficulty to manage. Alcohol and drug addiction is common among TBI victims who struggle with anxiety, depression, and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). One study even found that 53 percent of homeless people have a TBI. While there may be an exact cost to your medical bills, the true cost of your compensatory and non-economic damages is likely much higher, and will take more time to fully comprehend. As such, a TBI personal injury case can never be rushed to a quick settlement.
Call an Orlando Traumatic Brain Injury Attorney Today
Traumatic brain injuries are extremely serious, and it may take many months for you to feel normal again. Tragically, many victims of TBI take multiple years to recover. Some never do. To ensure that your damages are properly compensated for, contact the Payer Law today at 866-930-1238 to schedule a free consultation with one of our Orlando personal injury lawyers.
Source:
cdc.gov/traumaticbraininjury/severe.html
