The costs associated with traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) vary on a case-by-case basis. Your costs after a TBI will depend on the severity of your injuries and their effect on your ability to work. However, common costs associated with TBIs include medical bills, lost wages, diminished earning potential, property damage, and pain and suffering.
You may want to review the costs in more detail with our team at the Fitch Law Firm LLC. If your TBI resulted from negligence, a Columbus personal injury lawyer from our team can help with your legal case.
How Much Does A TBI Cost?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), thousands of people sustain traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) yearly. These injuries often require extensive medical treatment and long-term care.
A study published by the Journal of Neurotrauma found that the lifelong medical costs for moderate or severe TBI victims can reach tens of thousands of dollars. In many cases, the costs you face depend upon the kind of treatment you require for your injuries. You may require:
- Emergency medical care
- Ambulance transportation
- Hospitalization
- Physical therapy or rehabilitation
- Medical tests and assessments
- Medications
Costs for these treatments vary widely based on the hospital where you receive treatment and your insurance coverage.
What Are The Common Consequences Of A Traumatic Brain Injury?
TBIs can have major consequences for your life and finances in Ohio. In addition to the medical costs we’ve discussed, you may end up facing losses related to:
Lost Wages And Earning Potential
You may be unable to work during your recovery from a TBI. In this situation, you could end up losing your paycheck. Some injuries also reduce your earning potential by making it impossible to return to your previous job or, in some cases, to work any job.
Pain And Suffering
You likely experience pain and mental anguish after an accident resulting in a TBI in Ohio. These costs may not have a set dollar value, but they still impact your life. You may need to pay for therapy or medication to help you deal with a TBI’s mental and emotional effects.
Property Damage
Some TBI accidents also cause property damage. For example, car accidents represent one of the most common causes of TBIs, according to the Cleveland Clinic. You may have to pay high fees to repair or replace a damaged vehicle.
What Are The Four Types Of TBIs?
Examples of TBIs include:
- Concussion (mild TBI)
- Brain contusion
- Penetrating brain injury
- Anoxic brain injury
Many people have some degree of familiarity with most of these injuries. Concussions and brain contusions can both occur when something strikes your head. Meanwhile, penetrating brain injuries occur when something pierces through the skull.
Anoxic brain injuries, which are less familiar to many people, occur when the brain does not get enough oxygen for some time. Even a few minutes without sufficient oxygen can lead to major brain damage.
You may face high costs during the recovery from any of these injuries.
What Are Three Causes Of Traumatic Brain Injuries?
The American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) tracks the causes of TBIs throughout the country. According to the AANS, these injuries often occur due to:
- Falls
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Strikes or blows to the head
Any of these accidents could leave you or a loved one with serious injuries and medical expenses.
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How Can You Secure Compensation For A TBI?
If you sustained a TBI in an accident caused by another person’s negligence, you have legal options to seek funding to cover your expenses. In many cases, you can file a claim with the insurance company representing the individual who caused your injury. An insurance settlement may allow you to secure damages to cover your:
- Current and future healthcare expenses
- Lost wages and lost earning potential
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering and mental anguish
However, insurance companies may not always treat you fairly after a TBI accident in Ohio. In this situation, you may file a lawsuit against the individual who caused your accident.
Note that you may only receive compensation if someone caused your accident through an act of negligence or recklessness. You can work with a traumatic brain injury lawyer to determine the cause of your injury and who is at fault.
Speak To Us About The Costs Associated With TBIs In Ohio
After a traumatic brain injury in Ohio, you may face high fees for medical care. In many cases, individuals also face secondary losses associated with time off work, property damage, and pain and suffering.
A TBI lawyer from the Fitch Law Firm LLC can step in to help you deal with the losses associated with this injury. Find out more by calling us or completing our online contact form.