The cost of a brain injury goes far beyond medical bills. There are many costs to consider, including on-going care, rehabilitation, lost wages, and even the losses associated with the changes in the victim’s life. They may lose their independence, their personality, or their ability to communicate. Their family may feel they’ve “lost” their loved one. These profound changes can cause more than financial damages. You can budget for the intangible losses that a brain injury victim suffers, but that doesn’t mean these losses don’t deserve compensation if the injury was sustained in an accident. Another person’s negligence may cause significant changes in your life or the life of a loved one, so it is vital to recover damages from the accident.
What Expenses Are Involved in a Brain Injury?
Emergency medical care and hospital; stays are costly, but they are just the beginning of the expenses faced by a brain injury victim. Direct and indirect costs can quickly add up and may be worth hundreds of thousands of dollars when all considered. Direct costs include medical care, therapies, and other services to support the injured person’s recovery and daily life. Indirect costs include their lost wages, loss of ability to care for their family, and loss of productivity. Examples of Direct Costs:
- Intensive care stay
- Surgeries
- Acute, subacute, and post-acute rehabilitation
- Outpatient therapies
- In-home nursing and services
- Vocational evaluation and training
- Assisted living programs
- Counseling and therapy
- Medications
Examples of Indirect Costs:
- Home renovations or vehicle retrofitting to accommodate new disabilities, such as a wheelchair ramp or widening doors.
- Assistive technologies, such as recorders virtual assistants, alarms, etc.
- In-home caretakers, nursing staff, or other assistance to perform daily tasks.
- Loss of productivity at work.
- Inability to return to their position or work at all.
- Personality changes and strain on interpersonal relationships.
- Mental health issues and suicidal thoughts.
How Can I Cover These Costs?
Depending on the nature of your injury, there are several options that may help you cover or offset the expenses of a brain injury:
- Auto Insurance: If you were injured in a car accident, it is possible that you may recover some of your costs by filing a claim with the appropriate insurance company.
- Personal Injury Settlement: If your injury was the result of another person’s negligence, you may be able to file a personal injury claim to seek compensation. There is a wide range of losses covered by these claims, so it can be the best opportunity to secure compensation for your current and future damages.
- Disability Benefits: Social security disability benefits can provide relief if you are unable to work due to your injuries.
- Public Assistance: Public assistance programs, such as Medicare, nutrition assistance, counseling and other public outreach programs can help you cover some of your living and medical expenses.
- Other Insurance: You may also use a health savings account, personal health insurance, or disability insurance to help you support yourself and cover your expenses.
Get Help With Your Claim. Call Our Toledo Catastrophic Injury Attorneys – (419) 719-5195
Don’t face your injury claim alone. Backed by more than 100 years of collective experience, Williams DeClark Tuschman Co., L.P.A. is here to guide you through your case, no matter how complex it may be. Our compassionate, knowledgeable Toledo catastrophic injury lawyers will fight for the compensation you deserve.
Schedule a free case evaluation to begin your claim. Contact our team at (419) 719-5195.