The Cost of a Traumatic Brain Injury
The brain is the most delicate organ in the body, and the most important when it comes to maintaining full function. Despite being encased in skull and cerebral fluid, the brain is extremely vulnerable in almost any personal injury accident. Whether someone is a victim of a car crash, workplace accident, motorcycle crash, or slip and fall, suffering a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is all too common.
Cost of Traumatic Brain Injury to Society
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),
- 57,000 people die of traumatic brain injuries annually;
- Traumatic brain injuries a contributing factor in 30 percent of all injury deaths;
- 5 million people visit the Emergency Department for traumatic brain injuries annually; and
- 288,000 people are hospitalized for traumatic brain injuries annually.
These brain injuries cost $76.5 billion per year in medical costs and lost productivity. However, society pushes onwards. The financial, physical, emotional, and psychological toll on individuals is much greater.
How Much Does a Typical Traumatic Brain Injury Cost a Victim?
It is impossible to put an exact number on the cost of your or your loved one’s brain injury, because the healing timeline for traumatic brain injuries is difficult and sometimes impossible to predict. A moderate concussion may cause one victim to suffer from headaches for a week or two before they return to normal a month later, while that same injury could cause another victim prolonged memory loss, mood changes, and confusion for a year or more. This could result in that victim losing his or her job, getting divorced, and losing custody of their children. There is no way to put a price on those type of damages. In terms of medical and lifetime caring costs, a serious traumatic brain injury costs between $600,000 and $1,875,000 in expenses. Northwestern University has a broader number for that expense, estimating that a brain injury costs anywhere between $85,000 and $3,000,000 in lifetime expenses.
Putting a Value on Your Traumatic Brain Injury Case
The party responsible for your injury is liable to pay for all of the following types of damages:
- Medical expenses;
- Future medical and homecare costs;
- Other expenses resulting from your injury, such as medical devices and childcare expenses;
- Lost wages and earning ability;
- Pain and suffering;
- Loss of joy of life;
- Emotional distress;
- Property damage; and
- More.
The amount of compensation also involves the size of the insurance policy that the negligent party has. The larger their policy, the more likely it will be able to cover the full costs of your injury.
Contact Our Orlando Brain Injury Lawyers Today
The severity of your traumatic brain injury will not be understood in the first few weeks or even months after your injury incident. As such, it is wise to work with an Orlando personal injury attorney who will not rush to settle. Serious injuries demand patience when dealing with insurance companies. Call the Payer Law at 407-307-2979 to schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced Orlando traumatic brain injury attorneys today.
Resource:
news.northwestern.edu/stories/2015/12/opinion-next-avenue-brain-injury/
