What Are The Long-Term Costs of Traumatic Brain Injuries?

Have you recently been injured in a vehicle accident with a traumatic brain injury? If so, you’re not alone. Many people suffer the consequences of catastrophic injuries following a vehicle accident. One of the most devastating types of injuries is a traumatic brain injury. The long term costs of traumatic brain injuries can be significant, both in terms of actual costs and the emotional impact.

Although science has advanced significantly in this field, much is still unknown about traumatic brain injuries. They can have substantial costs in terms of your medical treatment for years to come. You may also not be able to return to work as you did prior to the accident and this can raise many different questions and concerns in your family. If someone else is responsible for the accident in which you sustained these injuries, you need to consult with an experienced California personal injury lawyer as soon as possible.

The right personal injury attorney can make a big difference in the outcome of your case by helping guide you through the process and ensure that you understand all that is required to fight for maximum compensation. The support of a qualified attorney is essential to help minimize your stress during this challenging time and ensure you have the right representation from the moment you hire a lawyer. There is much to think about after being diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury. Traumatic brain injuries can range on the spectrum from mild to severe. More severe cases may require substantial and ongoing medical treatment, whereas mild head injuries may provide limited symptoms for a short period of time.

What is a Traumatic Brain Injury?

A traumatic brain injury is a condition that results from an unexpected, violent blow to the body or head, or an unanticipated accident. TBIs can also occur when an outside object penetrates brain tissue. Some of the most common examples of causes of TBIs include gunshot wounds, motor vehicle accidents, sports, and domestic violence. Although mild TBI symptoms are often temporary, severe cases can cause death or even long-term complications.

Finding an attorney who is familiar with these aspects of your claim can help you to understand the full range of your personal injury lawsuit and how to help you with your next steps. A lawyer will be there to guide you and answer your questions as well as help you adjust to life after your accident.

You may have many different impacts on your life from this accident, especially considering the long-term costs of traumatic brain injuries. Symptoms in a TBI can be temporary, but more severe cases may escalate quickly and lead to significant alterations to your daily life. In these most catastrophic of scenarios, the brain can experience torn tissues or bruising causing physical damage or bleeding.

How Many People Suffer Brain Injuries?

According to research completed by the Brain Trauma Foundation, over 2.5 million people suffer TBIs every single year, and over 50,000 people lose their lives as a result of traumatic brain injury associated symptoms. As many as 80,000 people sustain permanent disabilities after being diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury. One of the most difficult aspects of recovering from a vehicle accident in which you’ve been diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury is figuring out the financial costs and the long-term impacts on your life.

What if I Also Have a PCS Diagnosis for a Concussion?

In order for a soft tissue injury to be considered long-term, it typically includes presence of symptoms for longer than three months. This can include soft tissue injuries and traumatic brain injuries such as concussions.

Were you diagnosed with a concussion and the symptoms are continuing for some time? This may be referred to as post-concussion syndrome or persistent post-concussive symptoms. These symptoms may last for weeks to months and may be difficult to predict in terms of when they show up throughout your day or your life.

Mild traumatic brain injuries are often classified as concussions. You do not have to lose consciousness to get a concussion. And it is important to note that not every concussion will necessarily cause persistent post-concussive symptoms or long-term concussions.

In fact, the risk of having symptoms associated with a post-concussive event are not always linked to how severe the injury was. Consistent post-concussive symptoms will appear in most people within seven to ten days after the injury and then last for several months. But occasionally these situations can last for a year or more.

In these circumstances, doctors will evaluate your functional capability and manage all of your symptoms with various treatment modalities to improve your quality of life and overall functioning. Even though these symptoms may be written off as mild by an insurance company or someone else involved in the process, they may be very disruptive to your daily life. This is why you need to consult with an attorney who is familiar with post-concussive symptoms and syndrome and can help you navigate the process of qualifying for compensation.

What Are the Most Common Symptoms of Traumatic Brain Injuries?

Symptoms of TBIs can include ringing in the ears, blurred vision, nausea, headache, bad taste in the mouth, speech problems, difficulty sleeping, light sensitivity, loss of consciousness, memory problems, and more.

Your symptoms may not look the same every day, and they can also range in terms of severity. One of the best things you can do for yourself and your case is to keep a log of how you feel each day as well as any treatment options you attempted. You can also strengthen your case by noting what things were difficult on the days when your symptoms were severe, such as if you struggled to work.

What Are the Real Costs of Being Diagnosed with a TBI?

The financial costs of being diagnosed with a TBI can be overwhelming. It can range from $85,000 to over $3 million over the course of a person’s life who has been diagnosed with a brain injury. Some of the common costs linked to TBIs include ongoing medical treatments and therapies, hospitalization and emergency care, legal and insurance claims, home modifications, caregiver expenses, assistive devices, inability to return to work, or loss of productivity.

What Are the Other Long-Term Effects of a TBI?

Although more research has been dedicated in recent years, there’s still a lot unknown about traumatic brain injuries, especially with car accident victims. Each accident is different, and victims may struggle in various ways depending on their age, overall health, and any other complicating factors or injuries.

The long-term effects of a TBI will depend significantly on your overall diagnosis and whether you’ve sustained any other injuries at the same time. A doctor can tell you more about what you can expect over the course of your life. If the one side of your brain has trauma, such as the left side, this can cause issues with speech, understanding others when speaking, logic, and more. Injuries on the right side, however, have more to do with symptoms such as difficulty processing visual cues, apraxia, and neglect. Some of the long-term consequences of a serious traumatic brain injury include dizziness, seizures, fatigue, paralysis, headaches, memory loss, balance issues, mood swings, and changes in vision.

Why Do I Need an Attorney for a Personal Injury Claim With a TBI?

Have you been seriously hurt and been diagnosed with a TBI? If so, you are not alone. It is essential that you take this situation seriously and find an attorney who is highly experienced in this field. When you hire an attorney, your lawyer takes on the bulk of the communication with insurance adjusters and any other parties in the accident. This frees you up to get medical care and rest so you have the best chance of making your recovery.

Our lawyers are well-versed in these strategies and will keep you informed at every stage of your case. If we’re able to negotiate a settlement offer, we will work hard to push for this outcome. If we can’t come to terms with the other side, however, we’ll be ready to take your case to trial.