How Much Compensation Do You Need for a Traumatic Brain Injury?

According to the CDC, 223,000 U.S. hospitalizations occurred due to traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) in 2019, with 190 TBI-related deaths in 2021. If you suffer a TBI in a vehicle accident, workplace incident, or slip-and-fall, it can disrupt your life, affecting work, daily tasks, and finances.

In Missouri, you have the right to file for compensation if another party’s negligence caused your TBI-related injuries and damages. However, determining the amount you’re owed can be challenging, requiring you to calculate future losses, such as ongoing medical care or lost earning capacity.

The personal injury lawyers at Cofman Townsley can help you determine a fair settlement for your injuries and assist in filing your claim.

What is a Traumatic Brain Injury?

A Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is a severe condition resulting from a sudden and forceful impact to the head, disrupting normal brain function. It can occur in various scenarios, such as car accidents, workplace injuries, or slip-and-fall incidents.

The brain’s delicate structure can be affected when it collides with the skull, leading to a range of symptoms and impairments. TBIs are classified into different levels of severity, depending on the extent of damage and symptoms experienced.

• Mild TBIs. Mild TBIs, commonly known as concussions, can cause temporary cognitive difficulties, headaches, and confusion, but individuals usually recover fully within a few weeks.

• Moderate TBIs. Moderate TBIs involve more damage, leading to longer-lasting cognitive and physical challenges.

• Severe TBIs.  A severe TBI can result in long-term disabilities, memory loss, cognitive deficits, and even coma or death.

The Cost of a TBI for Accident Victims

Experiencing a TBI following an accident can place a large financial burden on accident victims. The following contribute to that burden:

• Medical care. Medical costs can skyrocket in severe cases, often resulting in health difficulties and lifelong disabilities. Hospitalization bills can range from $258,790 to $401,808 across the U.S. These expenses may cover emergency care or hospital stays, surgical procedures, medications, and rehabilitation services.

• Burden of missing work. The inability to work due to TBI-related symptoms can result in substantial income loss, disrupting your financial stability. A 2022 study found that 59% of patients could not return to work for 2 weeks following a TBI, while 17% reported not working for 12 months after receiving the injury.

• Ongoing psychological and physical treatment. The effects of a TBI can also extend beyond the immediate aftermath of an accident. The need for ongoing physical and psychological care means a continuous demand for medical attention, therapy, and specialized support services. This puts an even greater financial strain on the victims and their families.

Seeking a fair resolution with the help of a qualified attorney can help you receive funds for current and future medical care, lost wages, and psychological treatment.

How an Attorney Can Help You Get a Fair Settlement for Your TBI

The TBI accident attorneys at Cofman Townsley are skilled in representing TBI victims and will help you maximize compensation for your brain injury. We will do the following:

• Medical evaluation.  Our team will consult with medical experts, such as neurologists, neuropsychologists, or rehabilitation specialists, to assess the severity of your TBI. These experts can provide valuable insights into the long-term impact on your physical and cognitive abilities.

• Economic damages. We will calculate your economic damages, which include current and future medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, lost wages, and potential loss of earning capacity due to the TBI. We will include these damages in a demand letter to the liable party’s insurer.

• Non-economic damages. We will assess non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. These damages can be more challenging to quantify but are important to ensure a comprehensive compensation package.

• Long-term impact. Your attorney will consider the long-term consequences of the TBI on your life. This may involve consulting with experts to project future medical needs, ongoing therapies, and potential limitations on your ability to independently work or perform daily tasks.

• Comparative analysis. To determine your compensation, we will analyze similar cases and settlements to help establish a benchmark for the settlement you deserve. This comparison ensures that your settlement request is fair and aligned with similar outcomes.

Protect Your Rights After a TBI

If you have sustained a life-altering traumatic brain injury, our experienced personal injury lawyers at Cofman Townsley can help you file a claim for a fair settlement. We’ll use our extensive knowledge of Missouri law to help determine who is liable and calculate how much compensation you deserve for your injury.

Contact us today for a free, confidential consultation and learn how we can help you get the compensation you deserve.