Accidents are a common occurrence, and thousands of people get injured every day due to various causes, from poisoning to car accidents. These accidents can cost a ton of money in terms of medical expenses and property damage and also cause people a lot of trauma. Among the many injuries that victims can suffer are TBIs, which this article will cover.
If you suspect a brain injury from an accident, a skilled TBI lawyer can help you recover damages for your medical bills. Filing a claim is crucial, especially for those in financially difficult circumstances, as TBIs are expensive to treat.
What is a TBI?
A TBI, or traumatic brain injury, is severe damage to the brain due to an external force, such as a blow to the head. It is a common injury that people suffer in accidents, such as falls or car crashes. A TBI could be internal or caused by an object penetrating the skull.
Common symptoms of TBIs include:
- Loss of time and space
- Difficulty remembering things
- Paralysis
- Tremors
TBIs can occur in a variety of situations, including:
- Car accidents
- Workplace accidents
- Assault
- Slip and fall accidents
Economic Damages for TBI
Victims of accidents are entitled to compensation to cover any expenses they have incurred. These are classified into economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages include any financial costs that can be tangibly measured, including:
Medical Bills
The most obvious expense a victim of TBI will have is medical. The cost of treating injuries, medication, and rehabilitation can be compensated through an accident claim. This also includes any future medical expenses the victim may have to bear. Healthcare is notoriously expensive in the country, especially for complicated injuries like TBIs, and having assistance can be life-changing.
TBIs may require multiple surgeries, which can also be covered under economic damages. Brain injuries could also result in severe impairment, like speech impairment or muscle impairment, which could require many months of rehabilitation. This type of expense can also be compensated in an accident claim.
Lost Wages
When a person faces an injury, they will have to take time off work to recover. This time could have been spent at work, where the victim could’ve earned money; therefore, injury claims offer compensation for lost wages. If the injury results in the victim being away from work for many months, the wages lost during this period can also be compensated.
Disability Benefits
In addition to this, injury claims also allow for compensation for long-term disabilities. This could include medical expenses, such as surgeries, the cost of therapy and so on. A long-term disability requires significant changes to a person’s life, including changing their job and making modifications to their home. They may also require assistance in day-to-day life, all of which is covered in injury claims.
Another thing to note is that there’s a provision for vocational training. If the victim is unable to return to their former job due to their disability, they can receive help to gain new employment and could even be entitled to compensation for the wages they’ve lost. This could especially be applicable if they’re forced to take on a lower-paying job after the accident.
Challenges in TBI claims
If the accident is not well-documented, it could be challenging to link the injury to it. That’s why it’s crucial to get medical help immediately and keep track of all your medical bills.
For example, if the victim failed to get a medical checkup immediately after an accident and experienced symptoms of a TBI later on, the defense could argue that the brain injury occurred due to other circumstances.
Another factor to remember is that brain injuries are not fully understood, and sometimes it can be difficult to pinpoint their cause. In such circumstances, the defense could argue that the victim’s lifestyle, medical history, or actions outside the accident contributed to the injury.