No amount of money can make up for the damage done by a traumatic brain injury (TBI), but a settlement or award can improve a victim’s life and a chance at recovery. Here is how.
Treatment Support
A traumatic brain injury can be medical emergencies, as they can cause brain swelling and bleeding, both of which can be fatal. The first thing healthcare providers will do is stabilize the victim to prevent further injury. They will manage their blood pressure, check the pressure inside the skull, and make sure that enough blood and oxygen is getting to the brain. Once stable, victims may require surgery to prevent additional damage, for example, to remove hematomas (clotted blood), get rid of damaged or dead brain tissue, repair skull fractures, or relieve pressure. A personal injury settlement or award should compensate victims completely for any emergency and surgical care they required and may need in the future.
Recovery Resources
After being released from the hospital, victims often transfer to a skilled nursing facility or rehabilitation hospital. There they will continue to receive intensive rehabilitation therapies, such as:
- Physical therapy to build physical strength, coordination, and flexibility.
- Occupational therapy to help victims learn or relearn how to perform daily tasks, such as getting dressed, cooking, and bathing.
- Speech therapy to help with speech and other communication skills and treat swallowing disorders.
- Psychological counseling to help victims learn coping skills, work on relationships, and improve their emotional well-being.
- Vocational counseling to help victims return to work and deal with workplace challenges.
- Cognitive therapy to improve memory, attention, perception, learning, planning, and judgment.
Once they are well enough to live at home, outpatient therapy can help reinforce these skills. Mild TBIs will often cost an average of $15,000 for medical care and ongoing treatment, whereas the costs for moderate to severe TBIs can reach $196,000 in the first year for acute care and rehabilitation. A settlement or award should reflect these costs and any future care required.
The cost of brain injury treatment and recovery can be an overwhelming concern for victims and their families who are already coping with a life-changing injury. As a result, a personal injury settlement or award should compensate victims completely for any emergency and surgical care they required and may need in the future.
Counseling Options
Life after a brain injury can be overwhelming for both the survivor and family members. TBI victims may experience anxiety, difficulty controlling emotions, changes in relationships with family and friends, financial strain, and difficulty adjusting to changes in work, school, or home life. A doctor may recommend counseling or psychotherapy, which can be very beneficial but is also another added expense. A lawsuit award or settlement can allow a victim and their family to develop new skills and coping mechanisms to help them feel better and capable of handling problems without the stress of its costs.
Medications
Medications can address several problems associated with brain injury, from mood disorders to physical pain. For example:
- Psychostimulants may improve cognitive functioning.
- Antidepressants for depression
- Antiparkinson agents to also increase dopamine levels.
- Antispasmodic medication to relieve stiff muscles
- Pain management medications
- Antiepileptic medications for post-traumatic epilepsy
Combining medications with frequent physical therapy can significantly increase the chances of and speed recovery. Refilling prescriptions on a monthly basis can be costly, but victims should not be prevented from a full recovery due to the expense. A settlement or award can cover any required medications.
Support for the Family
Some family members are not able to work full time, if at all, due to the logistics of caring for a loved one after a TBI or must hire outside help. If the victim was the primary earner, their family might suffer a significant loss in income. However, a lawsuit award or settlement can compensate for lost wages, diminished earning capacity, loss of affection and companionship, and more to help the victim and family recover. An experienced brain injury attorney can help you file a lawsuit if you need representation to recover fair compensation for your injuries.
