Losses Stemming from a Severe Traumatic Brain Injury
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is often categorized as a “catastrophic” injury because of the severe and sometimes permanent effects it can have on a person’s functioning abilities. TBIs can include relatively mild damage to the brain – often in the form of a concussion – but can also be severe and debilitating for victims.
The costs of medical treatment and other losses for a TBI will obviously depend on the severity of the injury. The following is an overview of some estimated losses for a brain injury victim.
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- Medical bills – A severe TBI can require extensive medical treatment, which can include hospitalization during a coma, surgery to prevent complications, constant monitoring, neurologist visits, physical and rehabilitative therapy, ongoing evaluations potentially for the rest of your life, the costs of medical equipment or assistance at home, and more. Past and future medical costs can easily reach be hundreds of thousands of dollars for a severe TBI.
- Lost wages – Many people with severe TBIs cannot work and may lose their ability to work again. Even if they do return to the workforce, it may be in a lesser-paying position. Losses can include past income lost as well as the estimation of the lost earning power over the rest of your life, which will depend on age, education, and similar factors.
- Intangible losses – Victims can also recover for their physical pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, emotional trauma, and permanent impairments caused by their TBI. As you can imagine, this value can vary significantly from case to case and depends on the specifics of a certain situation.
The good news for brain injury victims and their families is that in many situations, they have the right to seek compensation from another party. This right arises if the other party acted negligently and caused the accident that resulted in the TBI. Many different accidents can be caused by negligence and can result in a legal claim, including:
- Car accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Commercial truck accidents
- Slip and falls
- Falls down stairs
- Falls from heights (e.g. ladders, roofs, scaffolding)
- Getting struck by an object
- Explosions
If you believe your brain injury was caused by the negligence of others, discuss your rights with a skilled personal injury attorney as soon as possible.
Consult with Our Minnesota Brain Injury Attorneys Today
The brain injury lawyers at McEwen & Kestner represent victims with catastrophic injuries and work to ensure they receive the full amount they deserve. Please call today at 651-224-3833 for a free consultation.
