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The lifetime cost of a traumatic brain injury | Burg Simpson

What Is the Lifetime Cost of a Traumatic Brain Injury?

March 7, 2024 | 6 min read
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At Burg Simpson Law Firm, our Denver brain injury lawyers have decades of experience helping victims of traumatic brain injury (TBI) seek fair and full compensation. Countless individuals suffer from TBIs every year. Some of these are mild concussions, posing little to no long-term risks. Others, however, are much more severe, leading to long-term disabilities, forced changes to lifestyle, and lifelong medical expenses.

Our firm has been serving victims of traumatic brain injury for more than 45 years. This experience has equipped us with the insight necessary to navigate these often complex and involved legal claims. We are here to review your claim—FREE of both cost and obligation—to help you understand the potential costs you may face and the best way to seek the traumatic brain injury compensation you deserve.

If you or a loved one is struggling with the aftermath of a TBI, you do not have to face the challenges alone. Reach out to Burg Simpson at 303-792-5595 to schedule your FREE consultation right away. Located in Denver, we welcome clients from throughout the state.

How Much Does TBI Cost Over a Lifetime?

The lifetime cost for an individual suffering from a TBI can range from $85,000 to $4 million. This variance largely depends on the severity of the injury and the long-term care and rehabilitation required to ensure optimal recovery. Acute inpatient rehabilitation—often required after a traumatic brain injury—averages around $8,000 per day. The average duration of this treatment is 30 to 60 days.

The collective annual cost attributed to the direct and indirect expenses related to TBIs is estimated at $48.3 billion. This staggering sum encompasses not just the medical treatments and rehabilitation costs, but also the broader economic impacts of lost productivity and wages.

The wider societal burden becomes even more evident when considering that over five million people in the U.S. live with disabilities resulting from TBIs. The costs associated with these disabilities alone exceed $37.8 billion annually.

When you sustain a traumatic brain injury in an accident you did not cause, none of these costs should be your responsibility. Tragically, insurance companies often fail to provide significant compensation for these damages. Having an experienced and proven legal team can help you seek traumatic brain injury compensation that is in line with your actual damages.

Recovery and Life After a Traumatic Brain Injury

The lifetime cost of TBI depends on multiple factors. They can be influenced by costs both directly and indirectly related to the injury, but often vary widely between victims. Contributing to this will be immediate and ongoing medical expenses, which often include:

  • Hospital Stays and Surgeries. Costs can accumulate quickly from initial hospitalization, surgeries, and ongoing medical care.
  • Rehabilitation Programs. Long-term rehabilitation programs, which can include inpatient and outpatient therapy, are often necessary for recovery.
  • Specialized Equipment. Wheelchairs, home modifications, and adaptive devices may be required, depending on the severity of the injury.
  • Home Health Care Services. For those with severe TBIs, professional home health care services may be necessary.

Both in clinical and home settings, several medical professionals may need to be involved in your traumatic brain injury treatment. Costs for individual providers are typically billed separately, which can quickly result in a mountain of expenses from medical specialists such as:

  • Neurologists. Essential for diagnosing the extent of brain injury and prescribing appropriate treatments.
  • Rehabilitation Therapists. These professionals include physical, occupational, and speech therapists who aid in regaining lost skills and adapting to new challenges.
  • Psychologists/Psychiatrists. Mental health professionals who provide crucial support in addressing the mental and emotional impact of TBIs.
  • Neuropsychologists. These specialists play a crucial role in planning therapeutic interventions and rehabilitation strategies to aid in the recovery process.
  • Pain Management Specialists. Medical professionals who work to develop a personalized plan that may include physical therapy, medication, and other treatments to alleviate pain and improve quality of life.

In addition to expenses related to medical recovery and rehabilitation, there are often costs associated with educational and vocational training after a TBI. These can include:

  • Specialized Schooling. Some TBI survivors may need to enroll in specialized educational programs to relearn basic skills or adapt to new learning methods.
  • Vocational Rehabilitation. This can help individuals return to work or find new employment suited to their abilities post-injury.

While not a direct economic cost, the emotional and psychological toll on victims of traumatic brain injury—including stress, depression, and relationship strains—can be profound. These, too, should be factored into the long-term costs of traumatic brain injury.

Traumatic Brain Injury Compensation

As with most personal injury cases, traumatic brain injury compensation may include both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages, also known as “special damages,” include direct costs associated with your injury. Non-economic damages, also known as “general damages,” include things without fixed costs, such as physical pain, emotional suffering, and personal loss associated with the injury.

At Burg Simpson Law Firm, our experienced legal team takes time to truly understand how your injury has and will continue to impact every aspect of your life—financially, emotionally, and otherwise—to determine the traumatic brain injury compensation you may be entitled to. This may include:

  • Medical and Rehabilitation Expenses
  • Lost Wages and Diminished Earning Capacity
  • Home Modifications and Adaptive Technologies
  • Long-Term and In-Home Care Needs
  • Physical and Emotional Pain and Suffering
  • And More

Our Denver brain injury lawyers know how to thoroughly evaluate the full extent of an injury and gauge its impact on quality of life—a comprehensive approach that ensures we can advocate for the total compensation due. We are committed to countering any tactics used by insurance companies aimed at minimizing payouts, working to ensure our clients receive the justice and financial support they need for their recovery and future well-being.

Burg Simpson Law Firm Is Here to Help

At Burg Simpson, our commitment to our clients goes beyond the courtroom. With over 45 years of proven success in the legal field, we have established ourselves as a formidable force in handling personal injury cases, many involving traumatic brain injuries. We have secured more than $2 billion in verdicts and settlements on behalf of our clients, a testament to our dedication and relentless pursuit of justice.

Our approach to each case is personalized and comprehensive. We understand that traumatic brain injuries are not just legal issues but life-changing events that require a sensitive, yet assertive approach. Our team, comprising some of the most experienced and highly awarded personal injury lawyers in the field, is adept at navigating the complex legal landscape that surrounds TBIs. We work to ensure that every aspect of your case is thoroughly examined—from medical expenses to the impact on your daily life— to ensure the total traumatic brain injury compensation you deserve can be established and fought for.

Choosing Burg Simpson means you are not just hiring a lawyer; you are gaining a team of advocates who are deeply invested in your recovery and well-being. We are committed to helping you rebuild your life after traumatic brain injury and providing the support you need throughout your journey. Our goal is to offer legal expertise and a guiding hand during one of the most challenging times of your life.

Contact Burg Simpson for a FREE Case Review

If you or someone you love is struggling with a traumatic brain injury, contact Burg Simpson to schedule a FREE and confidential consultation at our Denver office right away. We can assess your damages, help you understand your rights, and guide you toward the best course of action. Burg Simpson Law Firm is proud to pursue traumatic brain injury compensation for individuals and families living throughout Colorado.

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