Cost of Treating Traumatic Brain Injuries - Chicago Car Accident Lawyers

High profile sports-related traumatic brain injury (TBI) lawsuits have drawn wide attention to TBIs in general. With more focus on traumatic brain injury and related disabilities, more research is being done for correct and early diagnosis and treatment of traumatic brain injury and it's symptoms.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that annually, about 2.5 million individuals sustain a traumatic brain injury in the US. Moreover, around 30% of all injury-related deaths are caused by traumatic brain injury. Considering these numbers, immediate diagnosis, treatment and recovery is extremely important. In this post, our TBI Lawyer Willens Chicago will discuss how expensive TBIs are, and what victims can do to protect their rights.

Cost of Treatment a Traumatic Brain Injury

Traumatic brain injuries are usually prolonged injuries that do not end with first level diagnoses and hospitalization. TBIs often require prolonged and extensive treatment – in some cases patients may require lifelong treatment. Considering this, the cost of treatment for a traumatic brain injury can increase exponentially, making it difficult for many traumatic brain injury victim and their family to pay for these costs.

The cost of treating a traumatic brain injury depends upon the victim’s injuries, symptoms, treatment, and therapies required. The CDC estimates an annual direct/indirect cost of $75.6 billion. Of these costs, about 90% can be attributed to cost of treatment for severe traumatic brain injury that often result in either hospitalization and/or death. Moreover it has been seen that nearly half of all traumatic brain injury patients develop a TBI related disability about a year later, causing further complications and increasing costs. This essentially translates to –

• An increase in out-of-pocket medical expenses
• Increase in missed work duration, affecting family income
• Decrease in family income causing other financial crunches.

All of these factors have a domino effect on each other making the total costs of traumatic brain injury treatment overwhelming. Though early diagnosis and correct treatment can cure TBIs early-on, and thereby reducing treatment cost, the cost of initial and related medical treatment and follow ups can collectively become a huge burden for the traumatic brain injury victim and his family.

What Causes a Traumatic Brain Injury?

TBI’s are essentially caused due to a head injury that results in brain trauma. Traumatic brain injuries can be mild or severe, show symptoms immediately or even days after the accident. Common causes of TBI’s are car accidents, injuries due to slips and falls, construction-related accident, and medical malpractice. There can be many other causes of traumatic brain injuries.

Getting Legal Help in Chicago, IL

Due to the complex nature of traumatic brain injuries, combined with the exorbitant costs of treatment, it is essential that victims of TBI or the victim’s family fight to recover compensation for the injuries and related losses. In these complex cases it will benefit you greatly to speak with an experienced Chicago injury lawyer at Willens Law Offices. We can evaluate your case for free and help you get the compensation you are entitled to. Call (312) 957-4166 today for a free consultation.