by lainie.little@thomsonreuters.com | May 7, 2023 | Traumatic Brain Injuries

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) could be the result of a car crash, a fall or even some kind of product failure. Someone may strike their head or experience very rough motions that cause bleeding and bruising on the brain.

Brain injuries range from mild to severe, and they can often create lifelong medical symptoms even in milder cases. They might leave someone with mild memory issues or changes in their mental health. They could also leave people unable to work a job or completely dependent on life support and around-the-clock care from family members or professional caregivers.

Those with a TBI or caring for a loved one with a TBI often have to look at every available option for compensation because the care required could cost millions.

How much does medical treatment for a brain injury cost?

There is quite a broad range of estimated average costs reported for brain injuries. Those who require trauma care but who recover and have minimal ongoing needs may have total lifetime costs closer to the lower end of the spectrum, which is at around $85,000. Even that amount could be more than the available insurance for bodily injury after a car wreck.

However, if someone requires surgery, a room in a care facility or skilled nursing support in their home, then their TBI’s total care costs could go as high as $3 million. That amount doesn’t even factor in their lost earning potential, the need to change a home in a vehicle to accommodate them and the lost earning potential of any family member who serves as their caregiver. Those secondary expenses can add tens of thousands of dollars to the total costs a TBI generates for a household.

Basic car insurance often isn’t enough to cover the costs of a brain injury, and people may need to go to court or negotiate a claim very carefully to prevent a brain injury from causing household financial devastation. Quantifying the household consequences that the family can anticipate after someone’s diagnosis with a TBI or similar catastrophic injury can pave the way toward filing a lawsuit against an at-fault party that could potentially cover all of someone’s injury-related losses.

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by punith.s@thomsonreuters.com | Apr 12, 2023 | Traumatic Brain Injuries

A traumatic brain injury can have long-lasting and far-reaching effects on a victim’s life. Consequences vary based on the location and type of injury that someone has suffered.

For some people, the effects of a TBI are difficult to overcome. Symptoms can affect every aspect of the victim’s life. If you have suffered a TBI, it is important to understand how it may affect you for a long while to come. This understanding can affect everything from the medical care you seek to a decision concerning pursuing compensation via legal action if your injury was not your fault.

Cognitive impairments

You may experience difficulties with memory, attention and concentration. It may become challenging to process information, make decisions or solve problems. Cognitive impairments can impact your ability to work, manage daily tasks, and maintain relationships.

Emotional and behavioral changes

A TBI can cause emotional instability, making you more susceptible to mood swings, anxiety, depression or irritability. You may also experience personality changes, impulsivity or aggression. For some people, an injury’s effects strain personal relationships and make social interactions more challenging.

Physical challenges

Lasting physical complications, such as muscle weakness, balance issues or impaired motor skills may occur. You might also experience persistent headaches, dizziness or fatigue, which can limit your ability to participate in activities you once enjoyed and impact your overall quality of life.

Communication difficulties

Communicating effectively may become a problem. You may struggle with expressing your thoughts clearly, understanding spoken or written language or recognizing nonverbal cues. These communication difficulties can create barriers in both personal and professional settings, leading to frustration and isolation.

Increased risk of long-term health issues

A TBI can increase your risk of developing chronic health conditions, such as epilepsy, Alzheimer’s disease or Parkinson’s disease. Additionally, the injury may exacerbate existing health issues, making them more challenging to manage. This increased risk underscores the importance of regular medical check-ups and maintaining a healthy lifestyle to mitigate potential complications.

It’s essential to work closely with healthcare professionals and support networks to manage the long-term effects of a TBI. With appropriate care and rehabilitation, you can improve your quality of life and adapt to the challenges posed by your injury. Victims who have suffered a TBI because of another’s actions or inactions may opt to seek compensation with the assistance of a legal professional to help offset the financial impact of ongoing care.

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by lainie.little@thomsonreuters.com | Nov 1, 2017 | Traumatic Brain Injuries

Working in the field, it’s hard to imagine a day where there isn’t a hazard around you. Normally, it’s safe, but today was different. You attempted to drive machinery down the usual track, but the recent dry weather resulted in the earth crumbling beneath the weight of the machine. You hit your head, but nothing has been right ever since.

Traumatic brain injuries are a kind of catastrophic injury. They have the potential to affect you for the rest of your life. Even if they don’t, the therapy, medical care and other needs must be addressed before you can ever get back your sense of normalcy.

How does a brain injury affect a person?

Since no two brains are exactly identical, no two brain injuries are the same. When you go to treatment, a medical provider has to treat you as a person first, without preconceptions. Since no two brain injuries are the same, the complexity of your injuries may vary significantly from what a medical provider saw in the past. The location of the injury, cause and severity all affect your symptoms.

What types of symptoms will someone with a brain injury have?

It depends on the part of the brain that was injured. For someone who suffered an injury to the cerebellum, the person’s balance, coordination and vision may be affected. Comparatively, if a person injures his or her frontal love, there are a dozen or more functions that could be affected, from the person’s personality to the ability to speak clearly. It’s a little less likely to injure the pons or medulla oblongata, but both are on the brain stem. They control actions such as heart rate, consciousness and breathing, so a person’s life could be in danger if that part of the brain is affected.

No two injuries are the same, so your doctor has a plan for you to follow. With therapy and other treatments, it’s possible to recover at least somewhat.

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