Personal Injury Settlements for Moderate to Severe TBI Should Cover Long-Term Effects
Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) are responsible for many deaths and permanent disabilities every year. According to data on cdc.gov, there were about 61,000 TBI-related deaths in the United States in 2019.
TBIs are typically caused by a violent bump, blow, or jolt to the head. In some cases, an object penetrates the brain such as a shard of glass from a windshield and causes a penetrating head injury that disrupts normal brain function. Symptoms of traumatic brain injuries include physical paralysis, chronic pain and other chronic health issues, sleep issues, loss of hearing, loss of control of bowels or bladder, headaches, lost sense of taste, and seizures.
Moderate to severe instances of traumatic brain injury can change your quality of life for the worse for the rest of your life. A TBI can also have a huge impact on the family of the victim if the injured person needs ongoing care, can no longer work at their career, and/or take care of the kids or other family needs. These types of losses can and should be compensated through a personal injury claim or lawsuit when the injury occurred due to the negligent actions of another.
Long-term effects of moderate to severe traumatic brain injury
According to cdc.gov, moderate to severe traumatic brain injury can be the cause of life-long changes to physical, cognitive, emotional, and behavioral health. These changes have the potential to negatively impact a person’s daily life. Patients without access to chronic disease management risk further declines to their health over time and an increased risk of death. About 50 percent of people with TBI continue to worsen after their injury or die within five years of their injury, even if they were hospitalized and had access to inpatient rehabilitation services right after the injury. Overall, a person who suffers a TBI has their life-span shortened by nine years.
TBI increases the risk of death from many other seemingly unrelated causes by shocking margins. People with TBI are:
- 50 times more likely to die from a seizure
- 11 times more likely to die from accidental drug poisoning
- Nine times more likely to die from infections
- Six times more likely to die from pneumonia
The risk of chronic health problems also increases after a moderate to severe TBI. Among those with a TBI who are still alive five years after their injury:
- 57 percent are moderately or severely disabled (permanent disability)
- 55 percent no longer have a job (lost wages)
- 50 percent are re-admitted to a hospital at least once
- 33 percent need help from others for help with everyday activities
- 29 percent are no longer satisfied with life (loss of enjoyment of life)
- 29 percent are using illicit drugs or misuse alcohol
- 12 percent are living in nursing homes or other institutions (long-term care)
Personal injury settlement for TBI
A personal injury settlement should always take into account both immediate and long-term damages. When you work with a personal injury attorney, they will calculate all damages from medical bills to lost wages, pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, disability and more to ensure that you are made whole again. Once a reasonable settlement has been determined, a good injury lawyer will work tirelessly to get you the maximum compensation for your injuries.
Seek the help of a personal injury attorney
If you or a loved one was injured because of the negligence of another, contact a personal injury lawyer to discuss your legal rights. Let an experienced accident attorney fight for the full compensation that you deserve. It is not uncommon to receive a settlement from the insurance company that is five to ten times larger with the help of a lawyer. Call the personal injury lawyers at Tario & Associates, P.S. in Bellingham, WA today for a FREE consultation! We have been representing residents of Whatcom County, Skagit County, Island County and Snohomish County since 1979. You will pay nothing up front and no attorney fees at all unless we recover damages for you!
