A Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is among some of the most severe and life-altering injuries that anyone can endure. Not only does a traumatic brain injury impose a significant financial burden on victims and their families, but it can also lead to profound long lasting physical, emotional, and psychological tolls. As personal injury experts, we understand how serious a traumatic brain injury is and how important it is to understand the impacts that this injury will have on those affected by it. This article will explore the real costs associated with traumatic brain injuries, shedding light on the financial, physical and emotional implications.
Financial Impacts
The financial costs of TBIs can be staggering, often accumulating in up to millions of dollars of expenses over a lifetime. Initially, a victims expenses will be primarily based on emergency care, hospitalization, surgery, and immediate treatments. However, the financial implications of a TBI extend far beyond the initial care, this includes:
- Long Term Rehabilitation: Many traumatic brain injury survivors require ongoing treatment. This may include long term physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech-language pathology. TBI’s can directly affect your motor function and cognitive ability, and the recovery process can take years of ongoing treatment.
- Medications: Serious brain injuries can require prescription drugs for the recovery process, the costs for these drugs to manage your symptoms can typically be significant and last for extended periods of time.
- Assistive Devices: These injuries may lead to the use of assistive devices; wheelchairs, walkers, and home modifications to accommodate the injured parties disabilities.
- Lost Earnings: A TBI can be detrimental to your brain and your ability to focus. Many TBI victims are unable to return to work due to this, resulting in the loss of wages, and, in some cases, a complete loss of earning capacity.
- Home Care and Support Services: Severe cases of traumatic brain injuries may necessitate professional home care, this can be very costly and add to the financial burden.
Physical Toll
The physical aftermath of a traumatic brain injury can varies widely depending on the injury’s severity, ranging from mild concussions and in some cases severe brain damage. Depending on the significance of the injury a victim may experience a wide range of debilitating physical effects, these being:
- Cognitive Impairments: With a traumatic brain injury the injured party may experience different levels of cognitive impairments. Victims may experience difficulties with memory, paying attention, and even problem solving which can significantly impact their daily life.
- Motor Deficits: TBI’s can create major motor deficits. Victims may feel weaker, have issues with coordination, and can even be paralyzed.
- Sensory Loss: A brain injury can also induce changes in a victims senses, resulting in impaired vision, hearing loss, and even altered senses of taste and smell.
- Chronic Pain: Headaches and neck pain are extremely common with a traumatic brain injury, this pain can be persistent and debilitating resulting in a significantly decreased quality of life.
- Sleep Disturbances: One of the many drawbacks a brain injury can create is sleep issues. It is common for victims to suffer from sleep disorders which can further complicate your recovery.
Emotional and Psychological Impact
The scars left from a brain injury are not only physical, the emotional and psychological effects can be deeply profound. These emotional symptoms can come to light as:
- Depression and Anxiety: The struggle with new limitations and life changes brought on by a traumatic brain injury can be extremely difficult to adapt to. This can lead to intense feelings of depression, anxiety and panic attacks, as well as other mood disorders.
- Personality Changes: The injured party may experience sudden and significant changes in personality. They might feel more irritable, have strong feelings of aggression towards others, or apathy.
- Social Isolation: The challenges of coping with a TBI can lead to withdrawal from social interactions, this can significantly impact relationships and a victims quality of life.
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Some individuals develop PTSD after their accident, resulting in reliving the trauma through flashbacks and nightmares.
The real cost of a traumatic brain injury is far-reaching, touching every aspect of a survivor’s life and extending to their families and loved ones. Beyond the immediate and obvious physical damage that comes with a traumatic brain injury, the financial, emotional, and psychological impacts can be profound and enduring. It is crucial to understand the severity of a traumatic brain injury so that you can seek the proper medical treatment you need, and seek the compensation that you deserve. If you or someone you know has been injured and suffered a traumatic brain injury, contact the brain injury lawyers at LifeLaw Personal Injury today! LifeLaw’s team of expert brain injury lawyers has dealt with several complex brain injury cases, and knows how to navigate the legal system to ensure that you get the compensation that you deserve. Our team of experts will fight zealously with the insurance company to make sure that your case is getting the attention it deserves, so that you can focus on what is really important, your recovery. If you or someone you know has suffered from a brain injury contact us today for a free consultation and to discuss your options further. 801-206-4002.