According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, traumatic brain injuries (TBI) are a contributing factor to a third of all injury-related deaths in the United States. In 2010 alone, there were 2.5 million people who sustained a traumatic brain injury. A severe TBI can greatly impact an individual’s life as well as their family. Not only does a TBI affect a person’s cognitive function, but it can also impact their bank account. The CDC estimates that the entire economic cost for TBI in 2010 was $76.5 billion, but what do the expenses look like for an individual?
WHAT TYPES OF EXPENSES DO YOU HAVE FOR TBI?
Costs can vary for a traumatic brain injury depending on the extent of the injury and the specific long-term effects, but experts say that the cost of caring for a survivor of traumatic brain injury is between $600,000 and $1,875,000 over the course of their lifetime.
Initial treatment for a traumatic brain injury occurs in the emergency room and ICU and is meant to stabilize the individual immediately following the injury. Initial treatment typically means surgery, resuscitation procedures, and monitoring the body’s vital functions after a life-threatening injury. Acute treatment may also be used soon after the initial injury to minimize secondary injuries and provide life support. Medications may be used to put the patient in a medically induced coma and a device may be used to support breathing and to keep the pressure down in the head.
The next stage in treatment is typically rehabilitative care, which will help stabilize medical and rehabilitation issues as well as prevent secondary complications. Rehabilitative care will help an individual restore lost functions such as eating, talking, moving, thinking, and using the bathroom. Depending on the severity of the brain injury, this type of treatment may last a few years or the duration of their lifetime.
TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY FROM AN ACCIDENT
If a loved one of yours has incurred a traumatic brain injury from an accident, another party or public entity may be held responsible for their medical bills and lost wages. For example, if your loved one had a slip and fall accident that resulted in a brain injury because of poor lighting in a parking lot or hazardous materials on the floor of a facility, then the private company may be liable for any damages if it can be proven that their negligence caused the accident.
A traumatic brain injury is life-altering and can come with astronomical costs to care for. If someone is responsible for the injury, they should also be held responsible for these medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering for the individual. If your loved one has incurred a traumatic brain injury from an accident in Georgia, you’re going to need a personal injury attorney team to help you pursue legal action. Call the Fry Law firm today at (404) 948-3571 to set up a consultation today.
