Every year, approximately 1.7 million people suffer a traumatic brain injury (TBI). While the majority of people are released from the emergency room after being treated, around 275,000 are hospitalized and are likely to require significant long-term care. Even those that are released often need follow-up visits and some level of rehabilitation.
For some victims of a traumatic brain injury, it is possible to reach a level of normalcy while only being afflicted with minor ongoing symptoms. This may be the case after a minor concussion, for example.
Those with a traumatic brain injury, however, often experience far more significant symptoms and may suffer from memory loss and an inability to do basic things like tying their shoes, cooking dinner, driving, and even performing basic household tasks. In this case, intensive rehabilitation may be necessary. These therapies can last for months, or even years, before a victim can return to their daily life.
Medical bills can be expensive no matter what the specific injury, but unlike a broken arm, a traumatic brain injury can create the need for life-long medical care. Some reports have found that this can be as costly as $85,000 to $3 million over the course of a person’s lifetime.
For the majority of people, this is not an expense they can absorb, which can lead to difficulties paying other important or necessary bills—or even the need to forgo medical care completely.
Below are a few of the medical expenses a TBI victim might encounter:
Cost of diagnostic services
Visiting a general physician on a regular basis
Help from specialists
Physical therapy appointments
Medication, both prescription and over the counter
Counselors and therapists
Rehabilitation services
Beyond medical bills is the impact of a brain injury on your ability to earn a living. Most modern American families need both adults, or at least one, to contribute a monthly paycheck in order to pay the mortgage, keep the lights on, and put food on the table.
Unfortunately, after a brain injury it is difficult for many people to return to work. In fact, two years after the injury, an average of 60 percent of victims are unemployed. This can be financially devastating in the long term and may even lead to the loss of your home, vehicles, or financial stability in general.
The problem is so severe that many victims end up homeless. A recent study showed that 53 percent of homeless people also have a brain injury.
If your TBI was the result of someone else's negligence, you have the right to file a personal injury lawsuit and seek financial compensation to pay for medical bills, lost wages, and the cost of long-term medical care and rehabilitation. At Colley & Colley, LLP, we can help you do so.
The risk of not filing a lawsuit is that you may end up with medical bills that are far greater than what you can afford to pay for in a difficult financial situation.
A brain injury can quickly change your life for the worse. Please contact us at 1-877-411-2001 or reach us online. The consultation is free and carries no obligation, so don’t delay!
