The statistics for brain injuries are staggering. About 100,000 deaths are attributed to them each year, while 750,000 people are hospitalized. Data from the National Institutes of Health reveal 5 million people are diagnosed with some form of brain injury every year. Although many are not hospitalized or suffer immediate impairments, long-term consequences can affect a victim’s ability to work, attend school, and care for their families.
It can be difficult to valuate a case and obtain legal funding in Los Angeles, because the long-term impacts and costs of a brain injury are often not known. Especially devastating and costly, brain injuries deplete human resources and have become a silent epidemic across the nation.
How Do Traumatic Brain Injuries Occur?
A traumatic brain injury, or TBI, is typically caused by a violent impact to the head. Mild injuries may have only temporary effects; for example, a victim might experience loss of consciousness or altered mental state for a few minutes. Brain function may be altered for several days with a moderate brain injury, while severe TBIs can leave a person unconscious or in a coma for long periods. Death may result as well.
In some of the most severe cases, objects pierce the skin and bone of the skull, causing direct damage to brain tissue that is often permanent. The most common causes of TBI include:
- Falls: The leading cause of brain injuries, devastating falls most often affect children from 0-4 years old and adults aged 75 and older.
- Motor vehicle crashes: The leading cause of TBI-related fatalities; nearly 32% of auto accident victims with brain injuries die within a few months.
The highest rates of TBI related hospitalizations and deaths are in the 65+ age bracket.
What Do Severe Brain Injuries Cost?
The estimated cost of keeping a brain injury patient alive and cared for ranges from $0.5 million to around $2 million. That includes the costs of immediate medical care, ongoing therapy and rehabilitation, and other services. A patient’s age affects the overall cost, which is especially high for a young accident survivor with quality care. Brain injury patients from their 50s on generally don’t have a long life expectancy, so the lifetime care costs may be less.
For a family with an average income, the cost of caring for a brain injury patient is a huge financial strain, especially if the victim is the sole breadwinner. A family getting by or that is on solid ground can quickly end up in poverty.
Breakdown of Costs
The approximate costs associated with a severe brain injury include:
- Medical: Emergency care, testing, hospital stays, and other medical services adds up to $162,500 on average.
- Rehabilitation: It costs about $1,000 per day, on average, for acute rehabilitation; assuming one receives an average of 55 days of rehab, that’s $55,000.
- Long-term care: If extensive rehab isn’t needed, long-term care might cost as low as $18,000; with rehab and other medical services, you might spend $196,000 or more.
These estimated costs may be higher depending on the victim’s age, medical condition, and the nature of their accident.
Apply with Fund Capital America for Much-Needed Financial Support
Motor vehicle, pedestrian, and bicycle accident attorneys can fight for you, but don’t give in to pressure to settle early for less. If you’re waiting for your personal injury accident settlement, apply with Fund Capital America in Los Angeles for a non-recourse pre-settlement advance to cover your medical bills and daily expenses. Call 855-870-2274 or apply today to learn more.
