Every year, over 2.8 million people in the United States experience some traumatic brain injury, and 282,000 people require hospitalization as a result. Serious traumatic brain injuries can cause symptoms that last for a lifetime, requiring around-the-clock care. The victims of traumatic brain injuries and their loved ones suffer from the emotional pain of going through a life-changing injury. In the shock that occurs after a traumatic brain injury, family members are often left wondering how they will pay for the expensive costs related to their loved one’s medical care.
Long-Term Symptoms Associated With Traumatic Brain Injuries
The symptoms can be devastating, taking an emotional toll on everyone involved. Victims of traumatic brain injuries often lose their ability to speak or to communicate effectively with their loved ones. Many are unable to walk or engage in the physical activities they once loved. Additionally, many traumatic brain injury survivors cannot return to their jobs, resulting in financial difficulties for their loved ones. Victims suffer from a wide range of symptoms, including the following:
- Suicidal thoughts and behaviors
- Anxiety or depression
- Inability to control their impulses
- A decrease in problem-solving ability
- Speech difficulties
- Difficulty concentrating
- Chronic pain
- Insomnia
- Fatigue
- Headaches
- Chronic pain
- Aggression
- Mood swings
- Changes in hearing, vision, or other senses
Economic Costs of Traumatic Brain Injuries
The economic cost can be significant, especially when the survivor’s symptoms continue throughout his or her lifetime. In the United States, the indirect and direct cost of traumatic brain injuries is approximately $48.3 billion annually. The lifetime cost of caring for a person who has suffered a severe traumatic brain injury can reach $4 million. The average cost of medical and non-medical care for traumatic brain injury survivors is $151,587.
When traumatic brain injury survivors require skilled nursing care, their loved ones will need to pay for their rehabilitation services. The average cost for long-term care services averages around just under $200,000. The average cost for those with severe traumatic brain injuries is approximately $1,000 a day, and most patients need to stay at least 55 days.
Unfortunately, the highest medical bills related to traumatic brain injuries are for those who do not survive their injuries. The loved ones of deceased individuals are often required to pay expensive medical bills after their loved one is no longer here. Filing a wrongful death lawsuit can help family members pay for their loved one’s medical expenses and funeral expenses. A successful plaintiff can also recover compensation for the lack of wages their loved ones will earn.
Contact an Experienced TBI Lawyer Today
If you or your loved one suffered a traumatic brain injury due to someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation. Obtaining compensation through a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit can help you and your family survive financially. Contact us today to schedule your free initial consultation.
