Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major public health concern in the United States and is one of the leading causes of injury-related disability. TBI consequences can vary significantly depending on the severity of injury, which is classified as either mild, moderate, or severe. For millions of Americans, TBIs are life-altering.
Even mild TBIs, which are characterized by a brief change in mental status and account for the vast majority of all TBIs annually, can have lasting effects. In fact, TBI of any severity can cause epilepsy and increase a person’s risk of developing brain conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease or Parkinson’s disease as they age.
Financial Costs Associated with Traumatic Brain Injuries
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), of the 1.7 million people who sustain a TBI each year, 275,000 require hospitalization and 80 percent are released after treatment in emergency room departments. TBIs can have wide-ranging short-term and long-term effects, which is one reason why TBI-related hospital stays are often longer and more expensive than other types of injuries.
Overall, it is estimated by the CDC that the total economic costs of TBIs, including indirect (i.e. missed work) and direct (medical expenses), exceeds $82 billion annually. Life-threatening TBIs and TBIs requiring hospitalization are responsible for approximately 90 percent of the total TBI medical costs.
TBIs can be costly to treat, even for those who suffer concussions or other mild forms of TBI. According to data, the average lifetime health care costs for TBIs are $85,000, but can exceed $3 million. Of course, the costs associated with treating TBI go far beyond medical bills. These can include:
- Loss of income or earning potential
- Mental health treatment
- Physical therapy/rehabilitation
- Long-term care
Long-Term Impact of Severe Traumatic Brain Injury
There are approximately 5.3 million Americans living with a life-long disability caused by traumatic brain injury. TBIs also have financial and emotional implications for the family members and caregivers that provide much-needed support to their loved ones.
Patients who experience lasting changes in their cognitive, psychological, social, and physical well-being will face expensive long-term medical care and ongoing follow-up treatments. According to the CDC, a severe TBI can result in the following impairments:
- Cognitive functioning
- Coordination and balance
- Sensory (e.g. hearing, vision)
- Behavioral/Psychological (e.g. personality changes, aggression, depression)
Legal Options for Recovering Compensation After a Traumatic Brain Injury
If you or a loved one have suffered a TBI due to someone else’s negligence, you have the option of pursuing compensation through a personal injury lawsuit. At Belt, Bruner, & Barnett P.C., our Alabama injury attorneys have helped TBI victims throughout Alabama recover the following types of compensation:
- Medical costs
- Loss of income
- Physical pain
- Mental anguish
- Disability
- Disfigurement
- Loss of quality of life
- Loss of relationship with your spouse
Our team of compassionate and skilled attorneys has more than 65 years of collective personal injury experience including cases involving traumatic brain injuries. Our goal is to secure the compensation our clients need for their recovery so they can move forward with their lives. Since our doors opened, we have recovered more than $1 million in 40 cases and more than $5 million in 11 cases.
Contact us today at (205) 933-1500 to schedule a free consultation.
