The long term effects of traumatic brain injury (TBI) can be physical, financial, mental, and social. Non-fatal traumatic brain injury costs the U.S. economy more than $40.6 billion annually.
LA Century Law discusses the long term effects of traumatic brain injury.
What Are the Long Term Effects of Traumatic Brain Injury?
A person with traumatic brain injury may have medical costs that exceed $1 million. In addition, they may have personal care expenses, out-of-pocket costs, and modified living needs in their home or vehicle. They may be unable to work, and replacement household services may be needed.
However, the long term effects of traumatic brain injury are not just financial. A person may experience social isolation or have mental health impacts. Physical effects may include a lack of independence, bodily system dysfunction, and an increased mortality rate.
Financial Impact
When a patient is hospitalized for TBI, it costs $87,634 on average. Costs typically range from $2,130 to $401,808 for emergency care. These costs are only the beginning, as the financial impact of a traumatic brain injury can be long-term.
- The per-person average cost of a head injury is $115,300, including mild, moderate, and severe injuries. When injuries are severe, costs may be much greater than average.
- Lifetime medical costs for severe TBI could total $1.8 million per case.
- Severe brain injury patients may need residential care. Assisted living costs $4,300 per month on average. If a person needs extra assistance like memory care, the expense can be even greater.
- The CDC estimates that brain injuries cost the U.S. economy $69 billion annually in work loss. Other injuries may also contribute to work loss.
Traumatic brain injury may have long-term financial consequences in several areas, including:
- Medical monitoring
- Physical therapy
- Residential long-term care, in-home nursing
- Lost income, diminished career
- Reliance on disability benefits, including public and private disability insurance
- Costs for out-of-pocket personal needs
- Home modifications, specialized vehicles, and assistance devices
Cost to society as a whole
While the person sustaining a brain injury will most likely incur a personal financial impact, the injury also impacts society. Whether healthcare costs are paid by Medicare, Medicaid, or private insurance, society bears the cost in some way. In addition, a person may receive SSDI benefits. They may apply for Social Security retirement or dependent spouse benefits sooner than they might have otherwise.
Physical Impact
The physical impact of a brain injury can take several forms.
General mortality
The overall mortality rate is higher than the general population. Penn Medicine News says that over a 30-year period, adults with head injuries have a mortality rate double the general population.
Breathing difficulty
A brain injury can disrupt the brain’s ability to control breathing, especially when the injury affects the brain stem. A person may experience irregular or shallow breathing. The respiratory system may be impacted long term even if there is no direct damage to the lungs.
Sexual dysfunction
Brain injury can cause hormone imbalances and difficulties in sexual function.
Medical complications and infection
A person may have a heightened risk of infection because of an impaired immune response.
Immobility
Coordination and muscle weakness may impair a person’s ability to walk. While therapies can help, damaged brain and spinal cord tissue cannot be fully repaired. If a person can walk, they may move slower.
Visible disfigurement
Brain injury may cause noticeable deformity of the skull or face. Muscle weakness may cause changes in stature.
Mental Impact
The mental health impact of a brain-injury long term may include:
- Behavior changes, aggression
- Mood regulation, irritability, lack of empathy
- Information processing
- Communication
- Depression, anxiety
- Other mental health conditions
The brain processes information. It directs our thoughts and words and regulates mood.
With a brain injury, these mental processes can be affected long term.
Brain injury may contribute to mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress. These mental health conditions may be both a cause and effect of physical health decline and worse overall outcomes.
Social impact
A brain injury can result in long-term social isolation. A person may not be able to participate in social groups because of communication difficulties. They may be less physically able to go places. Employment changes may decrease socialization. A person may be self-conscious about their appearance.
What is a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)?
A traumatic brain injury is a harm to the brain that happens suddenly as a result of an external event. It is not something that a person is born with. A TBI is a trauma that results from force applied to the brain, either by an object or pressure.
Do all traumatic brain injuries have visible systems?
No. A traumatic brain injury may cause a visible wound, such as a skull fracture or contusion. However, a closed-head injury can occur without outward signs of harm.
Legal Rights and Compensation for Long Term TBI Sufferers
A person who suffers from a long term traumatic brain injury has rights. Here’s what you should know.
- The long-term impact of a brain injury may be a part of a compensation claim.
- Even though it may not be immediately known what a brain injury will cost long term, damages may be identified through medical experts and other evidence.
- Each compensation claim must be complete—the claim must be resolved in full.
- You may have an attorney represent you in your claim for compensation. Your attorney works with experts to value long-term impact.
- You may seek compensation for pain and suffering, mental impact, and emotional anguish.
- Because long term brain injury claims are typically for significant amounts of money, defendants and their teams of attorneys aggressively fight them. But you can have an attorney representing you through all aspects of the case.
- Compensation may be structured to ensure that it provides for the future.
At LA Century Law, we represent brain injury victims.
Contact an Experienced San Bernardino Personal Injury Lawyer
If you or a loved one has suffered a brain injury, you may deserve financial compensation. LA Century Law represents injured people and their loved ones in injury claims. We invite you to contact a San Bernardino personal injury lawyer.
We know that brain injury can have long-term consequences. We’ll make sure that your claim for compensation is complete. Call or message us now.