The Devastating Effects of a Severe Brain Injury

Statistics show¹ that an estimated 1.7 million individuals in the United States suffer some degree of traumatic brain injury (TBI) on an annual basis. These injuries can range from a minor concussion to a severe and permanently debilitating condition. For example:

Each year, over 1.3 million people who suffer TBI are treated in the emergency room and are released.
275,000 people require hospitalization, sometimes for an extended period of time.
Approximately 52,000 people do not survive their injuries.

Patients who suffer a TBI that is classified as “severe” are often left with permanent disabilities and the need for long-term care, even if they do survive.

Types of severe TBI

There are two primary types of severe TBI. First, you can receive a “closed TBI,” which means the damage to your brain was caused by an external force outside of your skull that caused your brain to shake around inside your skull, which damages brain tissue. On the other hand, a “penetrating TBI” occurs when an object enters your skull and directly damages the brain. Penetrating TBIs are often caused by bullets or sharp objects. Both types of severe TBI can leave victims with permanent damage.

Effects of severe TBI

Victims of severe TBI often experience some or all of the following types of symptoms:

Prolonged coma or period of unconsciousness
Amnesia
Severe cognitive difficulties, including concentration and information processing
Seriously impaired coordination, balance, or weakness in the extremities
Sensory impairments, including impairments related to sight, hearing, or touch
Emotional issues, including anxiety, depression, and aggression

Many victims of a severe TBI are unable to return to work or school, require special accommodations in many aspects of their lives, and often are unable to live independently. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports² that an estimated 5.3 million individuals in the United States are currently living and struggling with a disability related to a severe TBI. Such disabilities can have a profound effect on all aspects of a victim’s life, including their professional opportunities, personal relationships, and more.

Costs of a TBI

In addition to the personal effects of a severe traumatic brain injury, these injuries can also cause a victim to incur serious financial and other intangible losses. A victim may suffer the following:

Extensive medical expenses, including hospitalization and neurologist visits
Costs of home health care
Costs of medical equipment and prescription medication
Rehabilitative costs
Lost future income and benefits
Loss of educational opportunities
Loss of enjoyment of life
Emotional trauma
Physical pain and suffering

Though it may seem difficult to put a number on what your loss of independence and opportunities are worth, an experienced brain injury lawyer will know how to perform such calculations and use other resources to make sure you know what your case is worth.

Contact an experienced Tampa brain injury lawyer for a free consultation

If you or someone in your family has suffered a severe brain injury, the road to recovery will likely be long and arduous, or recovery may never be fully achievable. In such cases, victims of severe brain injuries can often recover substantial compensation for their permanent disabilities from any potentially negligent person who contributed to the accidents. At the Dolman Law Group, we understand the struggles that victims of severe traumatic brain injury face and work to help them receive the full amount of compensation they deserve for this devastating injury. Please do not hesitate to call our office for a free consultation at 727-451-6900 today.

Dolman Law Group
800 North Belcher Road
Clearwater, FL 33756
727-451-6900

https://www.dolmanlaw.com/legal-services/brain-injury-attorneys

References:

¹http://www.brainline.org/content/2008/07/facts-about-traumatic-brain-injury.html

²http://www.cdc.gov/traumaticbraininjury/severe.html