A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is one of the most expensive injuries a person may incur. People can hurt their brains during car crashes or in a variety of different workplace incidents. They may develop lifelong symptoms that limit their ability to live independently or continue working.
Those with TBIs often require emergency medical care. Surgery is often necessary to alleviate the growing pressure on the brain. They may also need rehabilitative support as they recover, such as occupational therapy to help them regain lost functions.
For those with moderate to severe TBIs, their symptoms are likely to be lifelong challenges. They may have regular medical costs for the rest of their lives because of the TBI. People pursuing compensation for their injuries through insurance, workers’ compensation or a lawsuit need to know their likely costs to obtain appropriate compensation.
How much does treatment for a brain injury typically cost?
Costs vary depending on injury severity
The cost of trauma care and rehabilitative support can be drastically different from one case to the next. The severity of the injury, the age of the injured person, the facility providing the care and how much care they require can be quite different from one case to the next.
Researchers looking into the cost of treating a TBI have produced a surprisingly broad range of average costs. Average treatment costs range from a low of $85,000 to a high of $3 million, but can be much higher, for lifetime medical care expenses. Those who pursue cutting-edge and experimental treatments, like implants, may have even higher costs.
Obtaining proper compensation for those expenses can be different from case to case as well. Some people can easily access full coverage for medical costs through workers’ compensation. Others may need to pursue a combination of insurance compensation and personal injury compensation through a lawsuit. In car crash scenarios, for example, the baseline coverage required by the state could be far less than the medical costs of an individual with a TBI.
Reviewing medical records and the circumstances that led to a traumatic brain injury with a skilled legal team can help people estimate their likely costs. They can then use that information as they prepare for insurance negotiations or litigation.