Around 1.5 million Americans sustain a traumatic brain injury (TBI) every year. More than 230,000 people are hospitalized annually with these debilitating injuries. The impact of these injuries goes beyond just physical pain and disability. They also impact every aspect of a person and their family’s lives, from finances to emotional well-being.
TBIs are a common injury in Minnesota personal injury cases, often occurring after car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents, and slip and fall and trip and falls. TBIs are complicated injuries, often necessitating a long recovery, therapies, and medication management.
Understanding the long-term costs associated with accident-caused brain injuries is crucial for both the injured individual and their loved ones. If you have sustained a brain injury in an accident, you need experienced and compassionate representation to help put your life back together. Our Minnesota personal injury lawyer is here to explain.
The Impact of Brain Injuries
Suffering a brain injury can be life-changing, affecting not only the individual but also their family and support system. These injuries often result in debilitating symptoms, such as memory loss, cognitive difficulties, fatigue, behavioral changes, and sleep disturbance. Simple tasks that were once automatic or effortless may now become challenging, impacting your ability to work or engage in ordinary daily activities.
The emotional toll of a brain injury is also significant. Individuals may experience feelings of confusion, frustration, and even depression as they navigate their new reality. Interpersonal relationships, such as between spouses, kids, or other family and friends may become strained due to the symptoms caused by the TBIs as the injured person and their loved ones adjust to this new normal. Many loved ones often remark that the loved one who sustained the TBI is “no longer the same person.”
Recovery from a brain injury is often a long and stressful journey that requires extensive medical care and rehabilitation. Having to adjust physically and emotionally can be difficult. Making matters worse, many who suffer from TBIs are unable to return fully to work, creating extreme financial hardship for the individual and their family. The financial burden that results from a TBI can be substantial and difficult to manage and overcome.
Understanding the Costs of Brain Injuries
Traumatic brain injuries often bring with them significant costs. The financial burden can quickly mount as medical bills pile up, and wages are lost, bringing additional stress to an already difficult situation. Some of the costs and financial losses that these injuries bring include:
Continuing Medical Expenses
Following a brain injury, ongoing medical care often becomes a lifelong requirement. Routine doctor appointments, physical and emotional therapy sessions, expensive imaging, and prescribed medications become a regular part of life, significantly contributing to financial strain. These continual costs often continue for several months or even years after the initial recovery phase, presenting a continuous financial burden for Minnesota families.
The cost of treatment and care can vary significantly depending on several factors. In most cases, the severity of the injury plays a significant role in determining the overall expenses involved in managing and treating the injury. A mild concussion may require minimal medical intervention compared to a severe traumatic brain injury that could require extensive, ongoing therapy and specialized care.
Another factor that can influence how much you may spend on care for an accident-caused brain injury is the type of medical interventions needed for recovery. These include surgeries, assistive devices, hospitalization, rehabilitation services, medication, and long-term therapies. Each component adds to the total cost of treating a brain injury.
Additionally, the duration of treatment and care also impacts costs. Some individuals may require short-term interventions, while others might need lifelong support and assistance due to permanent disabilities resulting from their brain injury.
Lost Wages and Diminished Earning Potential
Cognitive impairment resulting from a brain injury can impact an individual’s ability to work and generate income. Many brain injury survivors face reduced earning capacity and, in severe cases, cannot return to work altogether. This loss of income can have enduring effects on an individual’s and family’s financial stability, making it difficult to fulfill basic needs and sustain a reasonable standard of living.
Emotional and Interpersonal Consequences
Apart from the financial implications, brain injuries can severely impact the emotional health and well-being of an individual and cause significant strains in social relationships. Brain injury survivors often contend with heightened stress, fatigue, anxiety, and depression. Personality and behavioral changes can also cause significant strains in relationships, which can make dealing with a traumatic brain injury even more challenging.
In the aftermath of an accident, those affected by brain injuries need to seek appropriate medical and legal support during this challenging time. A skilled personal injury lawyer in Minnesota can assist you after an accident-caused traumatic brain injury, and help you seek compensation for the losses and damages you have incurred. Working with a Minnesota personal injury attorney will significantly improve the chances of recovering fair compensation, and getting your life back on track.
The Costs of Brain Injuries
A study published in 2021 found that a person with a traumatic brain injury may expect to spend around $4 million in lifetime medical care costs. Individuals who require extensive hospitalization can spend around $8,000 daily. The costs for rehabilitation can go up to $200,000.
Although these costs can differ from patient to patient depending on various factors, it cannot be ignored that the medical costs associated with TBIs can be significant in any case. For this reason, if you have sustained a TBI was a result of an accident, it is imperative to seek guidance from a Minnesota personal injury attorney as soon as possible after your accident. Your attorney will be able to get started quickly on gathering necessary evidence to build a strong case on your behalf. Through working with experts, your attorney will be able to determine the long-term care costs you may face, so you can maximize your financial recovery, and give you the peace of mind that you will be taken care of.
Call Our Experienced Minnesota Personal Injury Attorneys Today
The dedicated team of experienced personal injury attorneys at Nelson Personal Injury is passionate about helping those who have suffered from a traumatic brain injury due to an accident. With over a combined 40 years of experience in Minnesota personal injury law, they understand the long-term costs and devastating effects that these injuries can have on individuals and their families.
By providing personalized service, upholding professional integrity, and utilizing their expertise, Tim and Matthew Nelson are committed to achieving justice for their clients. Schedule a consultation with our personal injury lawyer in Minnesota today to discuss your options.
