Traumatic Brain Injuries Can Have Lasting Legal and Financial Implication for Accident Victims
Hundreds of thousands of people are injured with traumatic brain injuries (TBI) every year in the United States. These injuries can range from mild to very severe. According to the Centers for Disease Control, “There were approximately 214,110 TBI-related hospitalizations in 2020A and 69,473 TBI-related deaths in 2021. This represents more than 586 TBI-related hospitalizations and 190 TBI-related deaths per day.” A TBI can have major financial and legal implications for accident victims.
Understanding Legal Challenges Related to Pursuing Cases Involving Traumatic Brain Injuries
Traumatic brain injuries are often referred to as invisible injuries. This is because a TBI may not be immediately obvious. It can also be difficult to link a TBI with a specific accident. Certain actions should be taken in order to accomplish this.
- Accident victims should seek immediate medical attention. This is particularly important if an accident causes a victim to hit their head. Being properly evaluated for a TBI is an essential component of linking that injury to a specific accident.
- Accident victims should also document all of the symptoms that they are going through. A traumatic brain injury can often cause people to suffer numerous symptoms, including headaches and confusion. These may grow progressively worse over time.
- Accident victims should also consult an attorney. An attorney can hire medical experts that will be able to link your TBI to a specific accident that took place.
Insurance companies will often do everything in their power to minimize the impact of a TBI. But the truth of the matter is that these injuries can dramatically impact a person’s life. In particular, victims of TBI are at a greater risk of developing neurodegenerative illnesses, such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.
TBI Can Have Major Financial Implications for Accident Victims
There are many serious financial implications associated with sustaining a traumatic brain injury. According to Chandi Edmonds, assistant professor at Feinberg, “The lifetime costs of a patient’s treatment for a traumatic brain injury are estimated to run from $85,000 to $3 million.” There are many ways that a TBI can impact a person’s finances.
- Many accident victims who sustained a TBI will need to take extensive periods of time away from work. This can result in substantial lost wages.
- It is also common that a TBI can result in a dramatic loss of earning capacity. People who sustain brain injuries may simply not be able to perform their job duties at the same level that they did prior to being injured.
- A TBI may necessitate that victims need ongoing care. This could include mental health counseling, physical therapy, and home modifications to accommodate the injury.
There is simply no way for an accident victim to know early on how much a TBI is going to impact their future. This is why it is so important that accident victims do not accept any early settlement offers if they sustain any type of head injury. It is always best to first speak with an experienced New York brain injury lawyer.
How an Attorney Can Help Maximize Recovery for a TBI
Given the enormous impact that a traumatic brain injury can have on a person’s life, it is essential that accident victims are fairly compensated. There are many different ways that a brain injury attorney can help maximize recovery for victims.
- An attorney can help accident victims build a strong case by gathering all necessary medical records and expert testimony.
- An attorney can negotiate aggressively with insurance providers and fight back against all low offers.
- An attorney can document all of the ways that a TBI has negatively impacted the lives of their clients.
Most cases settle out of court. But if insurance providers are not willing to offer a fair settlement for a TBI injury, an attorney can present your case to a jury. There is a tremendous peace of mind that comes with having an experienced attorney fight on your behalf.
Getting Legal Help for a TBI
It can be hard to know where to begin if you’ve sustained a serious traumatic brain injury. A TBI can affect every part of a person’s life. This can include their work and their personal life. In many situations, a TBI can lead to a serious change in personality that dramatically impacts a person’s marriage or other relationships.
If you or a loved one sustained a TBI due to the negligence of another party, it is critical that you seek experienced legal guidance. The New York brain injury attorneys at GLK Law are here for you. They can take steps to help protect your rights and ensure that you are being treated fairly. Whether you just have legal questions or would like to hire an attorney, we are here to serve your needs. You can reach out to us anytime at (516) 908-9792.
