Severe TBIs Can Cost Victims Millions of Dollars
Millions of people are affected by traumatic brain injuries1 (TBIs) each year. These injuries can occur for a variety of reasons, including car accidents, truck accidents, slip and falls, sports accidents, and many others. When their injuries are severe, brain injury victims can often incur medical expenses that are well beyond what they would be capable of paying out of pocket that may or may not be covered by their insurance.
Here are some of the issues that make the medical treatment of TBI so expensive.
Hospitalization
An overnight stay in the hospital can easily cost accident victims thousands of dollars. Many people who sustain TBIs stay in the hospital for several nights at a time and undergo specialized medical treatments that can significantly add to their bills. In addition, TBI victims who require emergency brain surgery could see surgical bills of well over one hundred thousand dollars.
Surgically Implanted Intracranial Pressure Monitors
One of the most serious complications associated with TBI is increased intracranial pressure,2 which can lead to serious brain damage and may even be fatal. As a result, on the primary goals of emergency treatment after a TBI is to maintain intracranial pressure within normal levels. In many cases, this involves the use of a surgically-implanted intracranial pressure monitor. Some of the more common methods of monitoring intracranial pressure after a TBI include the following:
- Intra-parenchymal monitor
- Intraventricular catheter
- Sub-arachnoid bolt
- Subdural and epidural monitor
Victims May Never Return To Work
One of the most devastating issues that many people who sustain serious TBIs must contend with is the fact that they may never return to work again. Severe TBIs can cause long-term physical and mental disabilities, some of which may make it impossible for victims to do their jobs. In fact, in some cases, victims may even be unable to live independently, making it necessary for them to live in a long-term care facility or have around the clock in-home care.
TBI Can Lead to Coma
Many people who sustain severe TBI end up in a coma, a period of deep unconsciousness that can last for weeks, months, or even years. In some cases, victims may actually be intentionally put into a coma through the use of drugs in order to reduce swelling and decrease intracranial pressure. People who are in a coma often stay in the hospital for an extended period of time and undergo expensive medical treatments and diagnostic tests, resulting in extremely high medical bills.
Victims can Often Recover Compensation
Luckily for TBI victims, Florida law allows people who are injured by negligent conduct of others to recover compensation for the losses they sustain. Losses that are often successfully sought in a personal injury case stemming from a TBI include medical expenses, lost income, loss of quality of life, and physical and emotional pain and suffering, just to name a few. In cases where victims can no longer care for themselves, it is critical for them to do everything possible to protect their legal rights and their financial future. For this reason, we advise all TBI victims to contact an attorney as soon as they can so they can learn more about their legal options.
Contact a Tampa TBI Lawyer Today to Schedule a Free Consultation
Many traumatic brain injury victims incur medical expenses that could easily lead to bankruptcy for most people. Fortunately, if you can establish that your TBI was the result of someone else’s negligence, you will likely be able to recover compensation for your medical expenses and other losses. To schedule a free consultation with one of our Tampa brain injury attorneys, call Dolman Law Group today at 727-451-6900 or send us an email through our online contact form.
Dolman Law Group
800 North Belcher Road
Clearwater, FL 33765
727-451-6900
https://www.dolmanlaw.com/legal-services/brain-injury-attorneys/
1 http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/traumatic-brain-injury/basics/definition/con-20029302
