An injury to the head can be medically diagnosed using several terms. There are traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), concussions, skull fractures, acquired brain injuries, contusions, penetrating brain injuries, and dozens more. One commonality among each of these injuries is seriousness, and another is prevalence. Brain injuries are a major cause of death and disability in the United States, and more than half of them are attributed to accidents like car crashes and falls. TBI survivors can face effects that last a few hours or the rest of their lives.
Whether you’re here on behalf of yourself, a friend, or a family member, you likely know by now how costly a TBI can be. If you or someone you love is the victim of a personal injury accident in California, you may be wondering what a settlement figure would look like for brain injury victims. The following information will offer you insights into TBI case settlements.
Is There Actually an Average Settlement for a TBI Injury?
When it comes to a brain injury settlement, there’s no “standard” value. In fact, settlement amounts range from the thousands to the millions, depending on the circumstances. That said, brain injury settlements tend to be much higher than other personal injury claims due to the nature and long-term impact of these injuries.
To get a better idea of what your TBI case might be worth, speak to a qualified personal injury lawyer in California who has proven results in assisting TBI victims. Working with an attorney that’s a master behind the laws, science, and treatment of brain injuries can help maximize the value of your case.
What Are the Average Costs of TBI Treatment and Rehabilitation?
A more effective approach to valuing your potential TBI settlement is looking at the bigger picture—that is, the costs of treating and recovering from a TBI. Some TBI victims require hospitalization, extensive inpatient care, regular monitoring, and intensive care treatment. Others may only require a brief hospital stay, outpatient care, and periodic doctor visits.
Usually, TBI victims must undergo some level of physical, cognitive, speech, or occupational therapy. On top of that, disabled or paralyzed TBI victims may require expensive medical equipment, medicine, mobility aids, or home assistive devices.
Studies by the Family Caregiver Alliance, the Centers for Disease Control, and the Brain Injury Association of America (BIAA) revealed the following shocking statistics:
- During a TBI victim’s first year of rehabilitation, costs could average out to nearly $196,000. Even without rehabilitation services, the average cost of TBI treatment for one year is around $18,000.
- Throughout a TBI victim’s lifetime, total costs could reach $4 million.
- The average costs for fatal TBIs are more than $450,000.
- The average cost per day for in-patient TBI rehabilitation is $8,000. Residential rehab facilities can charge TBI victims anywhere between $850 to $2,500 daily. Non-residential(outpatient) rehab programs can still reach up to $1,000 per session.
Factors That Affect the Value of Your TBI Settlement
The factors influencing all the above conditions and the overall value of your case are far-reaching. First and foremost, is the accident itself. Were you in a car crash? Or did you slip and fall on someone else’s property? If so, your injuries will likely appear differently. With car accidents, elements like speed, car make, and body position affect how your brain is impacted. On the other hand, falls depend on height, frequency, and extensiveness.
Now, demographics such as age, gender, and health can either decrease or heighten your risk for certain injuries. Also, there’s a period where injuries may go left untreated, only worsening the effects on victims. Victims that seek emergency care immediately will notice medical bills accumulate quickly but may minimize the risk of serious complications. In either case, once a diagnosis is made, victims will become more familiar with how active recovery and treatment will look to them.
In addition, other details like timing, missed work, severity of your injuries, health insurance, the defendant’s counsel and insurer, and your legal counsel all play a role in the value of your TBI settlement. As you can see, there’s a lot that goes into calculating the true costs of a TBI. It’s in your best interest to have a brain injury attorney evaluate your case to ensure you don’t miss a single thing.
We Get the Effects of Traumatic Brain Injuries on Your Finances
Each year, millions of people are affected by traumatic brain injuries. What’s more, exposure to TBIs may predispose victims to a wide range of secondary illnesses and conditions that further complicate their stories. Recovering from a brain injury is often a long and difficult process and victims may never truly get back to the position they were in before their accident occurred. In such cases, victims and families are forced to change their lives drastically.
Reach out to The Law Offices of JG Winter for help calculating your TBI settlement and to recover the compensation you deserve. Our personal injury lawyers know what to do with your TBI case and how to capture evidence to best advocate for you. Receive your free consultation today by completing a contact form or calling 844-734-2626.
