There are many ways for people to sustain traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). Car crashes, slip-and-falls, unsafe property conditions and even defective products could lead to people hurting their brains.
Those who sustain brain injuries may expect insurance to cover their expenses. However, their actual lifetime losses could go far beyond what they can expect to receive from an insurance provider.
What factors make TBIs so much more expensive than many people initially realize?
Staggering medical expenses
Every TBI requires different medical interventions. People often require immediate trauma care to stabilize their injuries. They may need to undergo surgery. They may also require extensive rehabilitative care. The lifetime medical expenses for TBI patients can easily add up to hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars.
Decreased earning potential
TBIs produce many different challenging symptoms. Some people experience cognitive changes. Others have physical symptoms. The person with the TBI may not be able to continue working a physically demanding blue-collar job or an intellectually-challenging white-collar position. Some people may not be able to work at all, while others may need to move to lower-paid careers.
Accommodation costs
Brain injuries that cause functional limitations may force people to modify their homes and vehicles for safety and accessibility. The cost of those adjustments can easily add up to tens of thousands of dollars.
Accurately estimating total lifetime losses can empower people who want to seek compensation after a car wreck or similar incident causes catastrophic injuries. People who require compensation after sustaining a brain injury may need the support of an attorney if they have to file a lawsuit for compensation, and that’s okay.